SPECIAL KI-POKT 



Adjutant-General 



STATE OF TEXAS. 



SEPTEMBER. 1884. 



ATSTIN 

K. W. SWIMIKI.1-. -I \TK I'UIVI'KII. 

1884. 



SPECIAL REPORT 



Adjutant-General 



STATE OF TEXAS. 



SEPTEMBER, 1884. 



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B. V. - w i M ■ i 

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REPORT OF UHITAXT-GEXKRAL 



ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFK I.. / 

Ai -i in, Tax is, SepU mbt r, 1884. i 
To His ExceUency John Ireland, 

< . ■ ■■ ■,,,,,■ of Texas: 
Sir: After greal difficulty, labor and expense, the evidences of acl 
ual expenditures by Texas, in protecting her frontier from invasion and 
raids by hostile Mexicans and Indians, have been prepared under authoi 
ity of an act of the Legislature, approved March 22, 1883, and are now 
ready for presentation to the genera] government, in accordance with an 
act of Congress, approved June -7, 1882; but, in addition to these 
proofs, i< is required by the honorable Secretary of the United States 
Treasury and the honorable Secretary ofWar,by whom these claims have 
to be firsl examined and reported on, that Bome reasons shall be given, 
or farts adduced, going to show the necessity for these expenditures bj 
the State. The aol or the Legislature above referred to authorized the 
organization of a board t" <■ n~ist • •( the (Joxernor, the Comptroller ami 
the Adjutant-General, and imposed upon this board the duty of prepar 
ing and presenting the Baid claims of Texas, and this board 1 aving placed 
upon myself, as Adjutant-fiemral, the duty of arranging ami presenting 
the additional matter required to Bupporl the claims referred to, 1 have 
the honor to stihrnit the following outline of historical d ita — reports of 
raids, murders, robberies, burnings, captures, etc, for a series of years 
from 1865 to 1882, these atrocities being the work of hostile parties of 
Mexicans and [ndians at various times and places upon our soil during 
the long period named. This array of horrible outrages, murders, rob 
beries and captivity, endured for so many years since the civil war by 
our people, to say nothing of similar scenes and wrongs before th 
test, might have been made much more full but for the fact that much 

>'( t he documentary proofs of the ghastly result of this constant predator} 
warfare were destroyed by fire in the burning of the State Capitol of 
Texas, in November, 1881. .Many of the original papers, record 
in the Adjutant-General's office, as in all the other departments in the 
State bouse were destroyed in this tire, ami those saved were not in con- 
nected order as to time, and gaps will therefon i i ssarily ur in any 

attempt to present them as con ridences of facts. This expla- 

nation will be deemed Sufficient, I trust, tO account for BUOh lack of con- 
nection as may appi - in this detail of events, going to show the 
pressing and constant necessity for sleepless vigilance, and for being 
always ready, on the pari of the people of Texas, to proteel her northern 
and western frontier from invasion and merciless forays by enemies of 

the Indian and Mexican race-. 

To anyone who has lived for some years in Texas, or to anj person 

who has made himself acquainted with her history and her peculiar cir 

oumstancea and surroundings, it would seem unnecessary to have to entt r 



4 Report of Adjutant-General. 

into minute and specific details to show a state of almost constant war- 
fare for more than forty years between her people and hostile Indians 
and Mexicans surrounding the northern and western border of the State; 
as, in the history which covers that long period, many of the pages are 
red with the bloody recitals of ber people's wrongs and sufferings at the 
hands of these ruthless and restless devils. 

The success of the Texas revolution in 1836, the subsequent admission 
of her territory and people into the American Union in 1845, as one of 
the States, and the war which followed between the American people and 
those of Mexico, resulting in the splendid achievements and successes of 
the armies of the Union, and the addition of immense territories of Mex- 
ico to the United States, all served to produce among the Mexican people, 
high and low, a deep and burning hatred of everything American, or 
that was peculiar to the people of the United States, and especially to 
those of Texas. 

This feeling was manifested upon all occasions for years, and did not 
wait for opportunities, but made them, and the long and exposed frontier 
of Texas along the Rio Grande river, as well as that touching New Mex- 
ico, and the Indian country on the north, offered ready ways and easy 
means to frequently gratify their desires for revenge, robbery, rapine 
and murder, by raids upon the defenseless border people of Texas. The 
Indians, within themselves, were more than willing to ravage and raid 
the homes of Texas settlers, at all times, but their natural deviltry was 
stimulated and increased, if this were possible, by the efforts of the Mex- 
icans; and between the two, the frontiers of Texas, and the lines of many 
of the interior settlements, became a sort of hell for many years after the 
Mexican war, and continued so up to and during the late civil war, and 
for a long period thereafter. For some reason Texas, like many other 
border States and Territories, was left by the general government with- 
out adequate protection against these constantly recurring invasions and 
raids, and, as a matter of absolute and overpowering necessity, the State 
had to make some regular and systematic provision for affording protec- 
tion and giving security, if possible, to her people; and to do this, un- 
usual and extraordinary pecuniary burdens were necessarily laid upon 
the whole body of citizens, and those burdens, in varying amounts, have 
been kept up ever since. For years past, the State, through her Senators 
and Representatives in Congress, has been asking the general govern- 
ment to reimburse her, in part at least, for the enormous sums of money 
expended in giving aid and protection to her people, which protection 
should have been given by the general government arid paid for out of 
the common treasury. The people of Texas believe this claim to be a 
just and proper one, and knowing, from long and frightful experience, 
the horrors and losses of this border warfare, and the painful and ever 
present necessity for organized and armed resistance to these murderous 
raids, they feel that the State, in the absence of protection by the gen- 
eral government, would have utterly failed in one of its highest and 
gravest duties if any hesitation had been manifested in meeting the de- 
mand for frontier protection to the utmost of its abilities. This state of 
things has been so prominent and painful a feature in the history of 
Texas for so many years, that all citizens and every political party, every 
form of State government, military or civil, provisional or permanent, 
and at least one constitutional convention, have all recognized it, and 
made efforts to meet the demands of the people, and of justice, humanity 
and of good government, on this question. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 5 

When it is recollected that Texas almost alone has had to face these 
difficulties for nearly forty years; has had the pecuniary burden to carry 
unaided; that her own people have had to stand in constant battle array 
against Mexicans and Indians alike, and to often lose liberty or life, and 
to sustain losses unnumbered, and suffer outrages unnamed, it ought 
to be easily understood why the whole people of the State feel deeply 
the right and justice of this claim, and why they honestly believe it 
should be received, examined and passed upon by the general govern- 
ment in a spirit of fairness, not to say of generosity. In the efforts made 
from time to time by the Texas delegations in Congress to secure pay- 
ment to Texas for her expenditures for frontier protection, all the claims 
of the State, both those for moneys spent before the civil war and a part 
of those for like purposes since that time, have been offered together, but 
in the claims we now propose to present the proofs are confined to ex- 
penses for frontier protection incurred and paid by Texas since the twen- 
tieth day of October, 1865, as the State is limited to that date by the 
act of Congress aforesaid, under which we are now authorized to act. 
Upon the claims heretofore presented some indefinite action was had by 
Congress, and upon a small part of said claims Lieutenant Thos. H. 
Bradley, U. S. A., Examiner in the War Department, made a report in 
February, 1880, and in that report will be found some things directly 
connected with the claims now proposed to be offered, and though they 
are not given consecutively as to the order of time in their origin, as a 
matter of convenience they will be presented here in the order in which 
they appear there. 

They are official, and are again offered as going to show the history of 
our efforts in this matter, and as adding strength to our assertions as to 
the necessity imposed upon the State of Texas to manfully incur, for the 
sake of the security and protection of her citizens, the extraordinary 
pecuniary burdens for which we now respectfully and earnestly ask 
reimbursement from the general government. 

On page 18, of Lieutenant Bradley's report, is a letter from the honor- 
able Secretary of War, from which the following extract is made: 

Was Department, January 19, 1878. 

Snt: The Secretary of War has the honor to transmit to the United States Sen- 
ate, in accordance with the request of iis Committee on Military Affairs, an expres- 
sion of his views in regard to Senate bill 165, to reimburse the State of Texas for 
expenses incurred by said State in repelling invasion of Indians and Mexicans. 

The expenses accrued, it is alleged, on account of payment and support of vol- 
unteers or rangers, and the claims of the State for reimbursement of expenditures 
said to have been made, relate to two periods of time, viz: First. From November 
1, 1854, to January 28, 1861, $509, 111 95. Second. From Octoher 14, 1865, to Au- 
gust 31, 1877, $1,027,875.67. In connection with these chiims or accounts a commu- 
nication to the Speaker of the House of Representatives stated : " This department 
possesses no evidence concerning the accounts of the State of Texas further than 
the statements of two abstracts, which are for $1,536,487.62, and which were re- 
ceived from the committee, and except accounts for $223,14a.89. The latter were 
examined in this department in the year 1812, and they were reported upon in full, 
as appears in House Executive Document No. 277, Second Session Foi ty-second 
Congress. (See House Executive Document No. 14, Second Session Forty-fourth 
Congress.) The aggregate amount of these claims appears to be included in the 
provisions of Senate bill 165, which refers to an act of July 27, 1861 , entitled 'An act 
to indemnify the States for expenses incurred by them in defense of the United 
States.' ***** 

Geo. W. McCrary, Secretary of War. 

To the President of the United States Senate. 



6 Report of Adjutant-General. 

Page 19 of said report has the following: 

War Department, Washington City, ) 
October 11, 1866, \ 
General: I enclose to you for your consideration and such action as you may 
deem proper, a communication, dated Austin, September 29, 1860, addressed to this 
department by J. W. Throckmorton, Governor of Texas, in relation to Indian out- 
rages committed in that State, accompanied by a copy of an act of the Legislature of 
Texas providing for raising troops for defense, together with sundry newspaper ex- 
tracts and a statement of the Hon, Mr. Black, a member of the Legislature, all of 
which are referred to in the Governor's communication. A telegram from Governor 
Throckmorton, dated the twentieth of September, addressed to the President, and 
the answer thereto, relating to the same subject, are also herewith submitted. The 
papers above mentioned have been laid before the President, and considered by him 
in connection with the report of Major-General Sheridan to you. dated Headquar- 
ters, New Orleans, October 3, 1866, inclosing a telegram to him from Governor 
Throckmorton, dated September 26, 1866, and your telegraphic reply addressed to Gen- 
eral Sheridan, dated Octobers, 1866. Tne representations of Governor Throckmorton, 
and the statements that he transmits, deeply impress the President with the obliga- 
tion and necessity of affording relief and protection to the people of Texas from In- 
dian outrage to the utmost extent within the powers of the Federal government; 
and he is of opinion that if troops stationed in the interior can be advantageously 
employed for that purpose on the frontier, it should be promptly done. He desires, 
therefore, that you take such proper measures and give such instructions as may 
verify the actual condition of affairs in Texas, and afford immediate and adequate 
protection to the people on the frontier of Texas. If thii can be afforded by the 
regular military force of the United States, he deems it preferable to calling out and 
organizing a local military force. With this expression of his wishes, the subject 
is referred to you for the prompt investigation and action which the urgency of the 
case seems to require, 

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. 
General Grant. 

The subjoined letter is on the same page of said report, written by the 
Governor of Texas, to the Secretary of War: 

State of Texas, Executive Department, ) 
Austin, September 29, 1866. f 

Sir: Accompanying this communication I forward for your information an act 
of the Legislature of this State which requires me to call into the service one thou- 
sand mounted men for the defense of the frontier against the attacks of numerous 
bands of Indians now waging a deadly warfare against our people. The sixth sec- 
tion of this act requires that I shall tender the services of these troops to the general 
government. In obedience thereto, I make the tender, and trust the authorities 
will accept the service of this command, or part thereof, for such length of time 
as may be deemed advisable. The frontier is suffering great devastation ; murder, 
rapine, and the most revolting outrages are of daily occurrence. Unless the gov- 
ernment will send sufficient and immediate protection, the State will be compelled 
to undertake it, without a dollar in the State treasury to defray the necessary ex- 
penditures. The troops stationed in the interior of the State are of no service 
whatever. The laws can be enforced and every class of our population protected in 
all their rights without the aid of the military, and I most respectfully ask that the 
troops be withdrawn. I have corresponded fully with General Sheridan upon all 
the questions herein referred to, and aleo furnished him a copy of the act herein 
enclosed. I also forward you memoranda of Indian depredations that have oc- 
curred in the last few months. 

The statements herein are only partial accounts, and by no means constitute the 
half of what has occurred within the last twelve months. I respectfully request 
that you will make these facts known to the President, in order that he may be fully 
advised as to the condition of our State. ***** 

J. W. Throckmorton, 
Governor of the State of Texas. 

Hon. E. M. Stanton, Sec'y of War, Washington, D. C. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 7 

On pages 20 and 21 of Lieutenant Bradley's report, is the act of the 
Texas Legislature, above referred to by Governor Throckmorton, and is 
in the following language: 

An act to provide for the protection of the frontier of the State of Texas. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That there be 
raised three battalions of Texas rangers, for the protection of the northern and western 
frontier of the State, to consist of ten companies, giving to two battalions three and 
to one four companies, to be raised as hereinafter prescribed ; and to consist of one 
captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, one bugler, one farrier, and 
eighty-seven privates each. The field and staff officers to consist of one colonel, 
one lieutenant-colonel and one major; one assistant adjutant-general with the rank 
of captain, one adjutant with the rank of first lieutenant, one assistant quartermas- 
ter and commissary with the rank of captain, and two ass'stant quartermasters and 
commissaries with the rank of first lieutenant, one surgeon with the rank of major, 
and three assistant surgeons with the rank of captain, entitled to pay as follows, to 
wit: The colonel shall receive two hundred dollars per month, lieutenant-colonel 
one hundred and fifty dollars per month, the major erne hundred and forty dollars 
per month, captains oue hundred and twenty-five dollars per month, lieutenants 
ninety dollars per month, first sergeants thirty-eight dollars per month, sergeants 
thirty -four dollars per month, corporals, buglers and farriers, thirty-three dollars per 
month, and privates thirty dollars per month; provided, the pay of all officers and men 
shall be in currency, and further, that the pay herein provided for shall be full com- 
pensation in lieu of all other pay and commutation for clothing for officers and men. 

Sec. 2. Said men shall furnish themselves with horses, arms and accoutrements, 
and shall be furnished with ammunition, and shall be enlisted twelve months unless 
sooner discharged. 

Sec. 3. The requisite number of men for said battalion shall be raised, if .possi- 
ble, in the counties of Denton, Cooke, Montague, Clay, Wise, Young, Paiker, Tar- 
rant, Palo Pinto, Johnson, Hill, Erath, Bosque, Comanche, Hamilton, Coryell, 
Lampasas, Brown, San Saba, McCulloch, Mason, Menard, LlaDO. Williamson, Bur- 
net, Blanco, Comal, Kendall, Gillespie, Kerr, Bandera, Uvalde, Frio, Medina, Atas- 
cosa and such other counties as border on the above list of counties ; provided, that 
the Governor may receive of said regiment from other counties not specified. 

Sec. 4. That the Governor be authorized, immediately after the passage of this 
act, to commission some competent persons, one for every company, to enroll the 
number of men for a company, and when at least sixty-four men have been enrolled 
they shall organize by holding an election for company officers, and the captain 
elected shall return a muster-roll, and such other reports as may be required by the 
Governor, to the Adjutant-General's department, and hold his company in readiness 
to take the field in obedience to orders from the Governor or superior officer. 

Sec. 5. The Governor shall have the power to appoint the field and staff officers, 
together with all disbursing officers of each battalion, and shall have power to re- 
move from office any of the field and staff officers for neglect of duty, incompe- 
tency, or disobedience of orders, and furloughs and leaves of absence shall be 
granted under rules and regulations prescribed by him. 

Sec. 6. The troops raised under *td by virtue of this act shall be governed by 
the rules and regulations of the army of the United States, but shall always be sub- 
ject to the authority of the State of Texas for frontier service, and shall not be re- 
moved beyond the limits of the State of Texas, #xcept for the purpose of following 
and chastising maurauding bands of Indians wherever found ; and it shall be the 
duty of the Governor to forward a copy of this act to the Secretary of War, urging 
the acceptance of said battalion for frontier protection. 

Sec. 1. That no portion of said troops shall become a charge against the 9tate of 
Texas until organized as required by the fourth section of this act and placed under 
orders. 

Sec. 8. The quartermaster and commissary of said regiment be authorized, un- 
der instructions from the Governor, to contract for the following transportation of 
the regiment, viz : One six-mule team and wagon, together with such number of 
animals and accoutrements as the colonel, with the Governor's approval, may re- 
quire for each battalion as transportation for the troops, and one two-horse wagon 
and two mules for the field and staff of each battalion. The supplies are to be de- 
livered by contractors at the place designated by the commanding officer, who shall 
give information to the quartermaster and commissary at what point and at what 
time supplies must be delivered ; and all supplies purchased by the quartermaster 



8 Report op Adjutant-General. 

must be of good quality, and his accounts or certificates shall be allowed by the 
commanding officer in the field before the same shall become binding as a claim 
against the State; provided, that the office of assistant quartermaster and commis- 
sary, within the meaning of this act, as but one officer, and is to be held but by one 
person. 

Sec. 9. Thai the Governor shall have power to disband said battalions, or any 
portion of them, whenever, iu his judgment, their services may no longer be neces- 
sary for frontier protection, and may thereafter call into service and reorganize such 
companies and battalions whenever the condition of the frontier may require it; 
provided it shall not be for a longer period than twelve months, and should the same 
not be accepted by the United States government under the provisions of this act. 

Srcc. 10. The present Legislature shall make all necessary appropriations and 
provide means to enable the Executive of this State to carry out the provisions of 
this act. 

Sec. 11. That the acts to provide for the protection of the frontier, passed Feb- 
ruary 7, 1861, and December 24, 1861, be and the same are hereby repealed. 

Sec, 12. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage. 

State Department, | 
Austin, Texas, September 25, 1866. \ 
I, John A. Green, Secretary of State, hereby certify that the above and fore- 
going is a copy of the original which has passed the Legislature and received the 
approval of the Governor on the twenty-first of September, 1866, and now on file 
in my office. In testimony whereof I here cause the seal of this department to be 
affixed the date herein above written. 

John A. Greef, 
[State seal.] Secretary of State. 

Following this, on page 21 of Lieutenant Bradley's report, is a state- 
ment from the Governor's private secretary, also a telegram from the 
Governor to the President of the United States, and a telegram from 
the Secretary of War to the Governor. We quote them iD the order 
named : 

State of Texas, Executive Department, )_ 
Austin, September 25, 1866. J 
A statement now on file in this office from Hon. Mr. ^Black, a member of the 
Legislature from Uvalde county, show T s that since May, 1S65, ten persons have 
been murdered and three carried into captivity in that county. Five Mexicans in 
Kinney and three in Maverick and four in Webb county have been murdered. In 
the last named counties the perpetrators were Kickapoo Indians. 

J. W. Lane, Private Secretary. 
P. S. — About fifteenth of September instant, Enoch Jones and son and two 
freedmen, while cutting hay in Jack county for the government, were murdered 
by the Indians. J. W. L." 

(Telegram.) Received 10:20 a. m., 27th. ' 

Austin, Texas, September 26, 1866. 
President Johnson : 

Our frontiers are rapidly depopulating from Indian depredations. I am re- 
quested by the Legislature, unless immediate assistance is afforded by the govern- 
ment, to call out one thousand men for its defense. I am authorized to place this 
force under the control and at the disposition of the general government for such 
time as may be required. They can be put on the line of operation in three weeks. 
I have informed General Sheridan of the disturbed condition of the frontier 
people. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. W. Throckmorton, 
Governor of Texas. 
( Telegram.) 

War Department, Washington City, ) 
September 28, 1866. \ 
Governor Throckmorton, Austin, Texas : 

Your telegram of the twenty sixth instant has been referred by the President 



Report of Adjutant-General. 9 

to this department. Major-General Sheridan, commanding the military division of 
which Texas forms a part, is now on a visit to tliat State, and upon his report be- 
ing received, the action of the government on your request for troops will be com- 
municated to you. In the meantime it would be well for you to confer with Gen- 
eral Sheridan on the subject. 

E. M. Stanton, 
Secretary of War. 

The following telegram from the Governor of Texas to General Sher- 
idan appears on page 22 of Lieutenant B.'s report: 

(Telegram.) By telegraph from Austin, September 26,1806. Received at New 
Orleans September 26, 1866. 
General Sheridan, commanding, etc. : 

The Legislature requests me to call out one thousand mounted men to defend 
the frontier, unless immediate relief is offered by the. government. If their services 
are accepted by the Federal government they are at the disposal and service of the 
Federal authorities for such term as they may desire. They can be put in the field 
and supplied in three weeks from the order. Necessity requires prompt action. 

J. W. Thkockmorton, 
Governor of Texas. 

As an evidence of the constant and continued efforts of Texas, regard- 
less of party lines, to obtain recognition and payment by the general 
government of the State's claims for expenditures. in protecting the fron- 
tier, another act of the Legislature is here presented as follows, to wit: 

An Act to authorize the Governor to receive from the, treasury of the United 
States the money due the State of Texas from the United States. 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the Gov- 
ernor be and is hereby authorized to receive from the Secretary of the Treasury or 
other proper authority of the government of the United States all moneys now un- 
drawn by this State which has teen appropriated by the Congress of the United 
States to the State of Texas for military services paid by Texas, or for other claims 
of this State; and the money so received shall be placed by the Governor in the 
treasury of this State, subject to appropriations made for the support of the State 
government. * * * * 

Sec. 2. That whatever the Governor is authorized to do in person under this act 
he may also do by agent appointed; provided, etc. * * * * 

Sec. 3. That this act take effect and be in force from and after its passage. 

Approved May 12, 1871." 

Then follows on page 154, Lieutenant B.'s report, a power of attorney 
from E. J. Davis, as Governor of Texas, to James P. Newcomb, Secre- 
tary of State, authorizing and empowering said Newcomb to collect for 
the State of Texas such moneys as were referred to in the above and 
foregoing act of the Legislature, from which the following is a sufficient 
extract : 

State of Texas, County op Texas; (evidently meant for Travis.) Know all 
men by these presents, that I.Edmund J. Davis, Governor of the State of Texas, by 
virtue of the authority and power vested in me as Governor as aforesaid by act of 
the Legislature of the State of Texas, approved May 12, 1871, "entitled an act to au- 
thorize the Governor to receive from the Treasury of the United States the money 
due the State of Texas from the United States," have constituted and appointed, 
and do by these presents constitute and appoint, James P. Newcomb, Esq., Secre- 
tary of State of the State of Texas, my agent and true and lawful attorney for the 
performance of the duties and exercise of the powers imposed upon and vested in 
me by the said act. * * * * 

By the Governor: 
James P. Newcomb, Secretary of State. Edmund J. Davis, Governor, 



10 Report of Adjutant-General. 

In the same connection, and as further proof of the difficulties to be 
encountered, and that have always met the authorities of Texas in their 
efforts to get the claims of the State properly before, and fairly adjusted 
by, the officials of the general government, I add here two letters from 
Hon. James P. Newcomb, as the aforesaid agent and attorney of the 
Governor of Texas to receive moneys due, etc., these two letters being 
found on pages 154 and 155 of the report so often referred to, from Lieu- 
tenant Bradley: 

Washington, D. C, November 11, 1871. 
Sir: I am here to submit to your consideration the original papers pertaining to 
the claim of the State of Texas for reimbursement for moneyspaid out for frontier 
defense under acts of Congress, March 3, 1859, and June 21, 1860, and to ask in be- 
half of the State as speedy an investigation and settlement of the matter as possible 
consistent with the convenience of your department. * * * * The 

matter has lain dormant up to the inauguration of the present State administration, 
and it has been with much difficulty that the original papers relating thereto have 
been gotten together, as the records of the State were thrown into confusion and 
destroyed to a great extent during the rebellion. The papers are presented in the 
best possible shape, and constitute the only showing the State can make. The ob- 
jections raised at the time Mr. Johns presented the case were mainly of a technical 
nature, to-wit, that the vouchers and papers were not made out in all particulars in 
a business like manner, lacking formality, etc.; in fact, that the State had done its 
business in a very loose way. We have attempted to remove many of the causes of 
objection then raised, by supplying the evidence required. The State paid these 
frontier claims, and the only fact, it appears to us, necessary to be established, in or- 
der that the appropriations made by the general government may be' applied to re- 
imburse the State, is that the State has liquidated these claims. I believe the evi- 
dence I have to present does this satisfactorily. The lapse of time and the war have 
placed it beyond our power to make good all technical defects, as many of the par- 
ties connected with the transactions are either dead or their residences unknown, 
while the whole matter has passed into history and beyond the remedy of techni- 
cality. Hoping that this business, which is of great importance to our State, will 
enlist your earnest attention and be dealt with in a liberal manner, I have the honor 
to be, 

Very respectfully your obedient servant, 

James P. Newcomb. 
Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. 

Washington, D. C, November 16, lSYl. 

General: During our interview on Saturday last, you suggested that there was 
no appropriation to pay the claim of the State of Texas, or rather that, by act of 
July 12, 1870, such appropriation had been covered into the treasury. I hope this 
point will be thoroughly examined before passed or decided adversely to the claim 
of the State of Texas, it being, in fact, preliminary to any settlement of the matter 
at this time. If you will take the two acts, March 3, 1859, and July 21, 1860, to- 
gether, I think you will conclude that the consideration involved must be construed 
under the head of a permanent appropriation until the matter is finally disposed of 
by the compliance of both parties, the State of Texas and the United States gov- 
ernment, with the provisions of the act. The act of March 3, 1859, section 2, pro- 
vided for the repayment to the State of Texas, out of any moneys not otherwise 
appropriated, moneys advanced by the State for the payment of six companies of 
mounted volunteers called into service by General P. P. Smith, with the proviso 
that the allowance should be no greater than for United States troops, and for a pe- 
riod of three months. The act of June 21, 1860, section 6, extends the provision of 
the act of March 3, 1859. to include all moneys advanced by the State in payment of 
volunteers called out in defense of the frontier since twenty-eighth of February, 
1855, with proviso that the Secretary of War shall be satisfied that there was a ne- 
cessity for calling out these troops, that they were called out by competent authority, 
and the amount claimed by the State was actually paid by the State, and the amount 
to be allowed limited to $123,544.51, etc. Had this limit not been stated, the State 
of Texas could have come forward and claimed the full amount of her outlays un- 
der the act. 

I regard the acts cited as a contract, bargain and agreement on the part of the 



Report of Adjtjtant-General. 11 

United States government and the State of Texas . The State of Texas has made 
good its part of the agreement; it remains for the United States to complete the 
matter. If the act of July 12, 1870, eliminates the $123,544.51 from the act of June 
21, 1860, then we claim a general adjustment of all our claims within the dates 
mentioned and the entire amount expended by the State. 

James P. Newcomb, 

Secretary of State. 
General W. W. Bellknap, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 

General Belknap's reply to the above is here given: 

War Department, ) 

Washington, D. C, November 16, 1871. f 

Sir: Your letter of the eleventh instant and certain claims of the State of Texas, 
which were therewith submitted by you to the honorable the Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, have been received at this department, as has also your statement, dated to- 
day, in relation to the application of certain laws. The aggregate of the claims, as 
submitted by your abstract, is $209,656.99. Of this amount it is alleged that only 
$50,001.81 were expended for the six companies referred to in the act of March 3. 
1S59, and the balance, $159,055.18, is claimed, it is supposed, under section 6, act of 
June 21, 1860. Regarding the expenses of the six companies, I have to state that 
various United States laws, made within the last decade of years, in reference to 
the applicability of appropriations made by former acts, as well as in reference to 
the consideration of certain claims against the government, convey to my mind an 
impression that no officer of the government can at this time admit or pay any por- 
tion of these claims. It is understood that a discretionary power in relation to them 
was granted to the head of this department in the act of March 3, 1859, by which 
he was "authorized," but not, as in many other cases, specially directed to act, and 
in this instance I prefer to adopt the above impression. No claim can now be con- 
sidered under section 6 of the act of June 21, 1S60, as the. amount thereby appro- 
priated, viz: $123,534.51, was carried to the "surplus fund" under section 10 of the 
act of August 31, 1852, by a warrant dated June 30, 1863. 

In view of the foregoing facts, I have to inform vou that the claims submitted by 
you can not be favorably entertained at this department until Congress acts further 
in regard to them. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Wm. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. 
James P. Newcomb, Esq., Secretary of the State of Texas. 

The following is Mr. Newcomb's answer to the above letter: 

Washington, D. C, November 18, 1871. 
General: Your reply of November 16, is at hand. Having performed my duty 
as the agent of his Excellency Governor E. J. Davis, Governor of Texas, in pre- 
senting the claim of the State of Texas for repayment of moneys advanced by the 
State to frontier troops called into service by authority of the United States govern- 
ment, and as, by your ruling, we are entirely excluded from a settlement unless by 
further act of Congress, I respectfully ask that the papers and vouchers pertaining 
to this claim be retained in the custody of your department, to await further ac- 
tion. * * * * * 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

James P. Newcomb, Secretary of State of Texas. 
General William W. Belknap, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 

The above communications relate to tbat part of the claims of Texas 
which accrued before the late civil war, and to the acts of Congress 
upon those claims anterior to or during that war, and have no direct 
connection with the claims now offered; but they are important links in 
the history of this long-continued question of frontier protection given 
by Texas to her people, and of the successive efforts made to secure re- 
imbursement from the general government for the expense thus incurred 
by the State. 



12 Report of Adjutant-General. 

As stated by Colonel Newcomb, in his letter to the honorable Secre- 
tary of the United States Treasury, the objections to these claims, as to 
those presented since, seem to be mainly technical in character, and do 
not attempt to meet and deny the all-important fact that the State of 
Texas has paid these claims out of her own treasury substantially in the 
manner and form, and to the persons, and for the purposes, and in 
amounts, and for the periods, named in said claims. 

In addition to the painful details of murder and other outrage which 
will be herein given in support of the necessities entailed upon the State 
government of Texas to provide some organized and armed force for 
the constant protection of the frontier, the fact that this extraordinary 
pecuniary burden was borne for years by the whole people of the State 
uncomplainingly and cheerfully, and this in face of the apparently hope- 
less efforts to ever secure a dollar by way of reimbursement from the 
general government, is the most striking evidence, it seems to me, of 
the wretched condition of the frontier of Texas, and of the necessity 
and constant demand for protection on that line. If this woful neces- 
sity had not been always present for many long and fearful years, or if 
deception had been attempted in this matter by the border people to- 
ward the balance of the population of Texas, time would long since 
have developed the infamy, and would have utterly destroyed any dis- 
position on the part of the great body of the people to burden them- 
selves with onerous taxes to support a useless and expensive system of 
frontier protection. To those afar off and widely removed from any 
possible danger from Indian tomahawks or Mexican daggers and lances, 
used in the night and made more certain and deadly by the glare from 
burning houses, our claims may seem a matter of indifference; but to 
the people of Texas these claims represent not only a large sum of 
money actually paid from the State treasury, and for which we justly 
ask a return from the common government, but they represent the life- 
blood of mauy a Texas ranger and of many citizens, and bring back 
from the horrid past awful scenes and sounds that but a few years since 
were fearful and familiar occurrences over hundreds of miles of the in- 
terior and along the entire frontier of Western and Northern Texas. 

The period of time partly covered by these claims glows with the 
light from the burning homes of many poor and once happy families 
along the borders of Texas, the recollections of the death yells from 
many members of which, and the loathsome captivity and nameless out- 
rages suffered by others, yet serve to arouse the deepest feelings of the 
whole people of the State. 

In connection with the letters already quoted herein, as having passed 
between Mr. James P. Newcomb and the honorable Secretaries of War 
and the Treasury, at Washington, D. C, and as a continuation of the ne- 
cessarily disjointed historical outline herein attempted to be given, I here 
quote again from the documents printed in Lieutenant Bradley's report, 
pages 156 and 157, as follows: 

Forty-Second Congress, Second Session. ) 
Congress op the United States, [- 
In the House op Representatives, January 18, 1872. ) 
On motion of Mr. William T. Clark : 

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and is hereby directed to inform this 
House why the money appropriated under the acts of Congress March 3, 1859, and 
June 23, 1800, has not been paid to the State of Texas as provided for in said acts. 
Attest : Edward McPherson, Clerk, 

By Isaac Strohm, Assistant Clerk. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 13 

In response, the Secretary of War replies in the following language: 

War Department, January 19, 1812. 
The Secretary of "War has the honor to send to the House of Representatives, in 
compliance with a resolution of the eighteenth of January, 1872, inquiring "why 
the money appropriated under the acts of Congress, March 3, 1859, and June 23, 
1860, has not been paid to the State of Texas as provided in said acts," the follow- 
ing mentioned papers, which give the requisite information: A copy of a letter of 
November 11 , 1871, from the Secretary of the State of Texas to the Secretary of the 
Treasury, showing why the money had not been paid prior to that time. A copy of 
a letter of November 16, 1871, from the Secretary of War to the Secretary of the 
State of Texas, showing why the money has not been paid since the last mentioned 
date. 

Wm. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. 

Again in 1876, this question of money claimed by the State of Texas 
for frontier protection, is brought forward, and the annexed letter from 
the Secretary of War is connected therewith: 

War Department, ) 
Washington, D. C, December 26, 1876. J 
Sir: I have the honor to inform the House of Representatives, in answer to a 
request from its Committee on Military Affairs, that this department possesses no 
evidence concerning the accounts of the State of Texas, further than the statements 
on two abstracts which are for $1,536,487.62, and which were received from the 
committee, and except accounts for $223,143.89. The latter were examined at this 
department in the year 1871, and they were reported upon in full, as appears in 
House Executive Document No. 277, second session Forty-second Congress. The 
papers received are returned, as requested, enclosed herewith. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. D . Cameron, Secretary of War. 
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington. 

Continuing to quote from the official documeuts noted in Lieutenant 
Bradley's report, the following extract is taken from page 193, referring 
directly to the condition of affairs then on the Rio Grande border: 

Dear General: * * * We have had quite an excitement lately. Will send 
you the reports of the officers concerned as soon as they are all received. I under- 
stand that McNally goes to San Antonio shortly, and he may be able to tell you all 
about it. The Mexican authorities promised to return all the cattle, but did not. 
They did send over a small part of the stock, enough to swear by, I suppose. 
Roundlett having hit one herd and pitched into the thieves, caused them to drop two 
other herds, I understand. One was dropped on the eighteenth ultimo not far from 
the river (about three hundred head 'tis reported), the other is reported to have 
been very large. 'Tis said that there were over forty thieves in these raids, that is, 
on this side; the entire outfit was ready to receive them on the south bank. The 
mail rider was captured near Las Cuevas, and detained some twelve hours, to prevent 
him reporting the raid to Captain Roundlett at Edinburg. I think cattle stealing is 
going on quite as rapidly as ever. The river is very low and there is no trouble in 
crossing cattle. About forty of those returned were King's, 1 understand. 
Yours, 

J. H. Potter. 

Gen. E. O. C. Ord, U. S. Army, San Antonio, Texas. 

A true extract. 

Hugh G. Brown, A. D. C. 

S. Ex. 74—13.] 

The following letter from the Governor of Texas is here transcribed: 



14 Report of Adjutant-General. 

Executive Office, State of Texas, ) 
Austin, December 24, 1875. J 
To the Texas Delegation in Congress, Washington, D. 0. (care of Hon. S. B. Maxey.) 

Gentlemen : I have the honor to call your attention to the following matters of 
interest to the State, requiring attention at the National Capital: 1. The govern- 
ment of the United States holds a balance of $101,113. 27 due the State of Texas 
from funds left in the hands of the former to pay the debt of the Republic of Texas. 
No claim is believed to have been presented against this fund within the last fifteen 
years, and the debt of the Republic of Texas is believed to have been fully satisfied. 
The State needs the balance of this fund, and ought to have it. 

2. I send inclosed statements from the office of the Comptroller of Public Ac- 
counts, showing amounts expended by the State of Texas for frontier defense from 
the twenty -eighth of February, 1855, to the commencement of the late civil war, and 
from the commencement of Governor A. J. Hamilton's administration after the war 
to date, the amount aggregating $1,536,487.62. 

It will be remembered that by act of the Legislature of Texas, approved February 
1, 1856, the State withdrew and abandoned all claims against the government of the 
United States growing out of Indian depredations prior to the twenty -eighth of 
February, 1855. This large amount of money is justly due from tke national gov- 
ernment to Texas ; and I hope that such steps as to you may seem wise may be 
taken at once for the assertion of this claim. 

3. I enclose a public debt statement from the Treasury Department for Novem- 
ber, 1875, which shows that twenty-one of the Texas indemnity bonds and interest 
thereon are still unpaid. 

- These bonds are not in our treasury, and most probably were stolen during the war, 
and may be destroyed, or held by parties who fear to present them. I would be 
glad to know what proceedings are necessary, or will be required, on the part of the 
State or her officers, to enable her to demand payment of these lost bonds at the 
Treasury, and, so far as you can do so, to aid in accomplishing the collection of the 
money . 

4. I sent, three days ago, to each of your delegation copies of Adjutant-General 
Steele's report on Rio Grande troubles ; also copies of the memorial of the late con- 
stitutional convention of Texas on the same subject, and refer you to the action of 
last session of the Fourteenth Legislature on the same subject heretofore furnished. 
I beg, also, to refer you to copies of letter from General Potter, commanding at 
Brownsvillj, to General Ord, commanding the department, herewith enclosed, in 
that connection, and to suggest that if the government of the United States does not 
afford defense and security for the people of that border against Mexican invasion, 
it will be impossible to restrain the people much longer from organizing and follow- 
ing the raiders into Mexico, and retaliating summarily upon the Mexican border. 
Our people have been plundered there until they ought not to submit to it any longer. 
General Ord, the able and efficient commander of the department, is doing all he can 
to protect our people, but he is utterly powerless. A police force, irregular troops, 
rather than a strictly military organization, is required there. 

If the President would take into the service of the United States Captain McNal- 
ly, with say three hundred and fifty men (five hundred would be better), such as he 
would recruit, they would protect that country. They would do service such as 
the officers and men of the United States army cannot or will not do. 

They never have done any good against the predatory bands of robbers who are 
devastating that country, and never will. None but Texas troops have ever checked 
their operations at all. If the United States will not protect that border, the State 
must and will ; but it is a burden which she ought not to bear. I do hope that you 
will leave n&thing undone, no effort unmade, to procure the requisite relief. On 
this subject I refer you. also, to General Ord's last report, and believe I can assure 
you of any assistance you may desire from him in procuring measures of relief. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Richaed Coke, Governor of Texas. 

Congress again takes up this question of the Texas claims, and the fol- 
lowing proceedings were had by the House of Representatives: 

[H. Res. 23.] 
In the House of Representatives, January 6, 1876. Read twice, referred to the 
Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed. 
Mr. Reagan, on leave, introduced the following joint resolution: 



Repoet op Adjutant-General. 15 

Joint resolution authorizing and directing the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to 
the State of Texas one million five hundred and thirty -six thousand four hundred 
and seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents on account of moneys paid out by said 
State for frontier defense. 

Resolved by the Senate and Souse of Representatives of the United States of America in 
Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby author- 
ized and directed to pay, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropri- 
ated, to the State of Texas the sum of one million five hundred and thirty-six thous- 
and four hundred and seventeen dollars and sixty-two cents, with lawful interest 
thereon, to reimburse said State for moneys paid as compensation and for supplies for 
troops for the defense of the frontiers of Texas from the twenty-eighth day of Febru- 
ary, eighteen hundred and fifty-five, to the commencement of the late livil war, and 
and from the commencement of the administration of the State government by Gov- 
ernor Andrew J. Hamilton to the present time. 

This joint resolution, it will be noticed, covers a part of the time ?ince 
the civil war, for which the State of Texas is now asking reimbursement 
for moneys paid for frontier defense. 

The following joint resolution by the Legislature of Texas indicates 
the public sentiment of the State in regard to this question of frontier 
protection, and the convictions of the people of Texas as to their right 
to ample and adequate aid and security from the general government 
against invasion and raids, and also their faith in their right to full reim- 
bursement for moneys paid by the State to insure that protection which 
the United States government had failed to give: 

Joint resolution of the Legislature of Texas relative to the protection of the fron- 
tiers of said State, and compensation for past expenditures by the State in that 
behalf. July 17, 1876. Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered 
to be printed. 

Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas. That the Fed- 
eral government owes to Texas protection of her exposed frontier, by virtue of her 
_ right as a member of the Union to an equal participation in the benefits and bless- 
"ings which its constitution guarantees to all the States, among which is defense 
against invasion; and the Republic of Texas, upon her accession to the Union, hav- 
ing ceded to the United States all public edifices, fortifications, barracks, ports and 
harbors, navy and navy-yards, docks, magazines, arms, armaments, and all other 
property and means pertaining to the public defense, the faith of the United States 
thereby became solemnly pledged to extend to the frontiers of the said Republic of 
Texas the most ample protection, without which, as a condition precedent, Texas 
would have had no sufficient inducement to surrender her independent political 
position. 

Sec 2. That our Senators in the Congress of the United States are hereby in- 
structed, and our Representatives are hereby requested, to present to Congress now 
assembled these resolutions of the Legislature of the State of Texas, and to urge 
upon that body the enactment of such laws as will secure to our frontiers ample mil- 
itary protection against Indian and Mexican freebooters; the military forces of the 
United States on the borders being too weak under the most effective command to 
afford such protection, and the State of Texas being compelled, in defense of the 
property and lives of her citizens, to maintain in the field a considerable military 
force at her own expense. 

Sec. 3. That our said Senators be instructed and our Representatives requested 
to present and urge before Congress the passage of a bill reimbursing the State of 
Texas for the large appropriations of money which, from time to time, have neces- 
sarily been made by her Legislature, because of the failure of the Federal govern- 
ment to provide sufficient protection to our frontiers. 

Sec 4. That the Governor of the State be requested to transmit to our Senators 
and Representatives in Congress a copy of these resolutions, together with an item- 
ized statement of all expenditures made by the State in the protection of her fron- 
tiers. 

Sec 5. The fact that Congress will adjourn at an early day, and the necessity 
for prompt action, requires that this joint resolution take effect, and it is hereby de- 
clared that it do take effect, from and after its passage. 



16 JHeport op Adjutant-General. 

The State of Texas, Department of State. 
I, A. W. DeBerry. Secretary of State for the State of Texas, do hereby certify 
that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original enrolled Sen- 
ate joint resolution No. 169, passed by the Fifteenth Legislature of the State of 
Texas, and now on tile in this department. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the seal of 

State, at the city of Austin, this the seventh day of July, A. D. 1876. 
[seal.] A. W. DeBerry, Secretary of State. 

In the third' volume of Reports of Committees of the House of Repre- 
sentatives, second session of the Forty-fifth Congress, Mr. Schleicher. 
from the Cpmmittee on Foreign Affairs, has a report on the " Relations 
of the Unit'ed States with Mexico," which is so able and exhaustive, and 
supported by details so minute and evidence so specific and full, as to the 
condition of affairs on and contiguous to the Rio Grande, that I beg 
to refer specially to that report, as it is too voluminous to be transcribed 
arid made a part of this, though extracts here and there will be made 
from it. Speaking for the committee, Mr. Schleicher, in regard to the 
information obtained and submitted, says: 

We have the constant and regular reports of the military commanders of our 
forces, the reports of Federal and of local grand juries, of mass meetings of most re- 
spectable citizens, the official statements of the Governors of Texas, of the Legisla- 
ture, and of conventions of that State. We also have the official correspondence of 
our State Department, of our ministers, and of the highest authorities of Mexico. 
We have the messages of our Presidents calling the attention of Congress to the con- 
dition of the border, and the reports of commissioners appointed under joint resolu- 
tion of Congress to investigate these matters on the border where they occurred. 
We have, also, the results of the labors of a special committee appointed by the last 
Congress. This collection of official documents will be found in Appendix B of 
this report. 

It has long been assumed by many persons in the United States, and 
seemingly so by some of the higher officials of the government, that the 
raids, robberies and other outrages so constantly committed upon the 
people of Texas by bands of marauders from beyond the Rio Grande 
were the work of roving Indians alone, over whom the Mexican 
government had no control, but this report by Mr. Schleicher refutes 
this assumption, and puts beyond all dispute the fact — always known in 
Texas — that these raids from Mexico were committed by Indians and by 
Mexicans, sometimes together, sometimes separately, but ahoays with 
the knowledge, and probably with the connivance if not the positive au- 
thority, of the officials of the Mexican States and government. Mr. 
Schleicher says: 

The cattle stealing raids and outrages on the Rio Grande may be divided into two 
classes : Those occurring between its mouth and Laredo, committed by Mexicans, 
the residents of Tamaulipas and part of Nuevo Leon. Second, depredations com- 
mitted by Indians who cross the Rio Grande above Laredo, from localities near the 
settlements in the State of Coahuila, where they are harbored. In order that this 
distinction may be kept more clearly in view we shall, in this report, treat separate- 
ly of the cattle raids from Tamaulipas on the lower Kio Grande, and the Indian 
raids on the upper Rio Grande. 

Again he says: 

The cattle raids from Tamaulipas commenced with what is known as the " Cortina 
War," in 1859 and 1860. This was a most remarkable occurrence — one without a 
parallel in our history. A single lawless ranchero with a band of friends capturing 
a town of nearly three thousand inhabitants, and not only defying but defeating the 



Eeport of Adjutant-General. 17 

forces of the State of Texas, and then carrying on a war against the combined 
forces of the State of Texas and of the United States, maintaining himself for up- 
wards of five months, from the thirteenth day of July to the twenty-seventh of De- 
cember, 1859, on American soil, with the Mexican flag flying over his camp, and 
then retreating across the Rio Grande, ready to renew the fight, Such was the re- 
markable commencement of the border troubles on the Rio Grande, one well calcu- 
lated to inspire the lawless element in Mexico with defiant pride, and to teach our 
own people the extent of the danger to which they were exposed, and their depend- 
ence for safety on the strong arm of their government. These feelings were con- 
firmed and increased when the bold robber and outlaw, who was under numerous 
indictments in Texas for previous murders and robberies, and who had left the 
American territory in defiant warfare with the United States, was deliberately sent 
by the Mexican government, clothed with the high office of general of the army and 
governor, back to the very scene of his outrages, and the United States quietly sub- 
mitted to the insult. 

Quoting from the official report of Major Heintzelman, United States 
army, which gives an account of the border war (Appendix, p. 75), Mr. 
Schleicher offers the following language as to the results of that war: 

The whole county from Brownsville to Rio Grande City, one hundred and twen- 
ty miles, and back to the Arroyo Colorado, has been laid waste. There is not an 
American, or any property belonging to an American that could be destroyed, in 
this large tract of country. Their horses and cattle were driven across into Mexico 
and there sold — a cow with a calf by her side for a dollar. 

What a brief but comprehensive presentation of the woful condition 
of the border people of Texas, aad of the cruel indifference to their 
sufferings and losses manifested by the United States government ! 

In addition to the numerous murders committed by these Mexican 
bandits upon our citizens, and the burning of houses, stores, etc., and 
the carrying away of goods and money, the losses of stock by these 
raids amounted to total ruin in many instances, and practically to that 
over a wide extent of our soil; and in the report from which we are 
now making extracts it appears, upon good proof, that up to the year 
1875 the forays from beyond the Rio Grande had been so constant and 
so successful, it was estimated that but ten per cent remained of the 
vast herds of cattle and horses which had once covered the wide Texas 
plains adjacent to the Mexican border. These losses, ruinous as they 
were, had lessened in importance in the face of more horrible and ap- 
palling dangers which were on the increase — the attacks upon the lives 
of our people throughout this whole border region. The citizens had 
ceased, as stated in 1875, to "complain of mere loss of property, and 
prayed only for protection." "The question with them had become one 
of existence, not of pecuniary loss." 

In this connection Mr. Schleicher says: 

Although cattle stealing was the original object of the raids, the lawless bands 
engaged in them have been necessarily led to the perpetration of other and greater 
crimes. The lawless spirit engendered by their trade, and their own protection, 
caused them to murder travelers who happened to meet them on their raids, and 
those whom they thought might inform against them. In fact, their raids were 
soon turned into general robbery and murder. 

From a report made by Captain Purington, United States army, to 
General Ord, (House Rep., 343, first session Forty-fourth Congress, page 
100), Mr. Schleicher extracts the following: 

At the taking of Clarksville, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, they killed United 



18 Eeport of Adjutant-Geneeal. 

States Inspectors Hammond and Phelps, and wounded Inspector Ryan; subsequently 
they killed Inspectors Dupont and McLaughlin. On the fifth of February, 1874, a 
man named Joseph Albertson, traveling -with his family near the county line, was 
tied up by Mexican marauders, robbed, and his wife subjected to horrible outrage. 
On the ninth of May, 1874, Peneschal ranch was attacked, and John M. Fletcher, 
M. Masters, P. F. M. Coakley, and H. Hilger were murdered, and the ranch robbed 
of a large sum of money and goods. On the twenty-seventh of February, 18V 5, a 
party of armed Mexicans murdered my friend J. S. Fulton and his clerk, at El 
Sauz, Hidalgo county, robbing his store and the postoffice, and re-crossing the river 
into Mexico from whence they came. 

Page after page of this report by Mr. Schleicher is filled with the 
same story of raids, robberies, ravishments, burnings and murders, 
openly, impudently, and defiantly perpetrated upon the citizens of Texas, 
and upon the officials of the American government, with only spasmodic 
and feeble efforts on the part of the United States government to stop 
these outrages and bring their villainous perpetrators to punishment. 
The losses in property alone, to say nothing of the murders and other 
shocking crimes committed upon our people, can only be estimated by 
millions, and for this no adequate return has ever been made, and there 
is no probability that any will ever be made. The great American gov- 
ernment would not and will not properly nor adequately defend its bor- 
ders and give protection and security to its citizens from hostile incur- 
sions and raids, nor will it permit any one of the States to fairly do so; 
and this incomprehensible policy has been and is so well known and un- 
derstood by all classes of Mexicans, and by the Indians, that, until within 
a short time, any vagabond crowd of a half dozen cutthroats from either 
one of these races have not hesitated to shake their fists in our faces, to 
raid upon our soil, to plunder and carry off our property, and to murder 
or make captives of our people, whenever and wherever opportunity or 
inclination set them on. This state of almost constant warfare on the 
frontiers, and far in the interior of Texas, for many years, has become a 
matter of history, and the grim and ghastly facts have been presented 
in so many ways, and have been before a shuddering public so long, that 
it seems unnecessary to have to go over many of the harrowing details 
again in order to give a reason for asking for the State, from the com- 
mon government, a partial return, at least, of the sums of money justly 
and honestly spent in a manly and patriotic effort to give that protection 
to the persons, to the lives, and to the property of peaceful citizens to 
which such citizens were and are entitled. 

In the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, from which we have 
been quoting, in speaking of the policy of our government in connection 
with these border troubles, the following pointed language is used: 

"But our government, and especially Congress, pursued a policy of 
astonishing, if not criminal neglect." 

And again: 

"Notwithstanding these continued representations of the President, 
Congress gave no attention to the subject further than, in the Forty- 
second Congress, to authorize the appointment of a commission to in- 
quire into the nature and extent of the depredations on the border. But 
though that commission made a very full and most startling report, no 
attention whatever was given to it by Congress." 



Report op Adjutant-General. 19 

This carnival of crime, of infamous villianies, of brutal murders and 
revolting outrages, by Mexicans and Indians, have been reddening the 
soil of Texas, and shocking the hearts and destroying the hopes of thous- 
ands of her people, unchecked by any substantial and determined efforts 
on the part of the general government, and the State has been left prac- 
tically alone to meet the damages and to bear the burdens forced upon 
her by these conflicts. After fully demonstrating the unprovoked vil- 
lainies of the Mexicans proper in their thieving and murdering forays 
tipon Texas, the report by Mr. Schleicher presents a long array of facts 
showing the character and dreadful results of similar raids upon the set- 
tlers of Texas by Indians living in Mexico, and protected and encour- 
aged in their predatory warfare upon and robbery of our people by Mex- 
ican officials and citizens. These details are fearful, and yet they fall far 
short of the reality, for the reason that only the ruthless deeds of In- 
dians living in Mexico were specially inquired into or included in this 
report, while the fiendish atrocities committed upon Texas people by the 
Comanches, the Kioways, the Apaches, and other savages of the Staked 
Plains and the mountains beyond, were not examined into nor reported 
upon. 

That these Indians from beyond the Rio Grande had been aided and 
encouraged in their forays upon Texas by the Mexican authorities and 
people, had been well and widely known throughout our State and else- 
where, and the fact was brought specifically to the knowledge of Con- 
gress in this report by Mr. Schleicher, who says on this point that: 
" From the very beginning of the raids, both from Tamaulipas and Coa- 
huila, one of the worst features has been the safe asylum which the raid- 
ers bave found on the Mexican side of the river." 

The secrecy and celerity with which these Indians managed their in- 
cursions upon our territory made it difficult, in fact well nigh impossi- 
ble, to anticipate and to head off or catch these raiding bauds on our own 
soil, and as they were among friends as soon as they crossed the Rio 
Grande to the west bank, it became necessary for some change to be 
made in the policy which had controlled the United States government 
so long in this matter, and Mr. Schleicher says that: "At last, in re- 
sponse to renewed appeals, the President caused the order of June 1, 
1878, to be issued by the Secretary of War to General Sherman. (Ap- 
pendix, p. 241.)" 

This order authorized the troops of the United States government 
when in pursuit and in sight or upon a fresh trail of marauders from 
Mexico, to follow them across the Rio Grande, to overtake and punish 
them, and to take from them all proporty in their hands stolen from our 
citizens. This order met the approval of the whole body of American 
citizens, and while in force produced most excellent results in giving a 
large measure of peace and security to the border which had been torn 
and scourged so many years by these hostile incursions. The Mexican 
government made strong protests against this order to cross the Rio 
Grande in pursuit of outlaws, and attempted to justify or excuse these 
murderous and plundering expeditions from Mexico into Texas upon the 
pretense that they were in retaliation for similar raids from Texas upon 
Mexican territory and citizens; but the charges were old, and had been 
so often refuted that it indicated immense impudence and a total disre- 
gard fortiuth for them to be repeated. The American Secretary of State, 
Mr. Fish, most emphatically denied that these raids were mutual, and in 
a letter to Mr. Foster, the American Minister to Mexico, dated May 20, 



20 Report of Adjutant-General. 

1875, he said (Appendix, p. 127): "It 'may be regarded as frivolous to 
seek to justify the hostile incursions into our territory on the ground of 
retaliation for similar incursions from this side. There have been none 
such, and proof of the contrary is challenged." Mr. Schleicher says: 
"No case has ever been stated in response to that challenge." 

The only invasions (so-called) of Mexico by our people or troops have 
been such as were made by authority, and in the active pursuit of rob- 
bers and murderers from the west bank of the Rio Grande. 

In addition to the regular and constant invasion of Texas by Mexi- 
cans along the lower Rio Grande, the same spirit has manifested itself 
among the Mexican people high up that river, and in the winter of 1877 
an armed band of several hundred Mexicans invaded our territory in 
El Paso county, committed a number of murders, and stole and openly 
carried into Mexico a large amount of money, property and goods. For 
these outrages no redress nor compensation has ever been secured, and 
not one of the villians who perpetrated the wrongs has ever been pun- 
ished. Many Mexicans who lived in El Paso county were concerned in 
these murders and robberies, but the evidence obtained shows conclusivelv 
that the principal instigators and leaders of this mob, as well as a 
large part of its members, were from the Mexican towns and territory 
on the west bank of the Rio Grande river, and to the formal demands 
by Texas for the extradition of the criminals concerned in these out- 
rages the Mexican officials either make or made no responses, or have re- 
sorted to their usual system of shuffling evasion, deliberate falsification, 
or impudent refusal. For full particulars of this invasion of our soil, 
and the subsequent murders and robberies connected therewith and re- 
sulting therefrom, I refer to Appendix B, pages 282, 283, 284 and follow- 
ing, of the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, by Mr. Schlei- 
cher, already cited herein, and to the report of a joint commission ap- 
pointed by the United States government and by the State of Texas to 
inquire into and report upon these outrages. This board to investigate 
these El Paso troubles consisted of Colonel John H. King, Ninth United 
States Infantry, and Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Lewis, Nineteenth 
United States Infantry, on the part of the general government, and 
Major John B. Jones, commanding Frontier Battalion of State troops, 
on the part of the State of Texas. 

Majority and minority reports were made by this board, and from the 
two the real history of this villainy can be fairly gathered, and its in- 
famous and outrageous character and consequences fully estimated. 
Special attention is directed to the minority report from this board, 
made by Major John B. Jones, as it contains internal evidence of frank- 
ness and fairness, and is supported by an overwhelming array of irre- 
fragable proofs of its verity. The majority and minority reports agree 
as to many of the substantial facts, and in the recommendations made, 
but differ somewhat as to the original responsibility for these troubles, 
and also as to the number of persons concerned who were natives or 
residents of Mexico, and as to the conduct of particular individuals. 
These differences are to an extent immaterial, in the face of the ad- 
mitted and proven facts connected with these outrages; and the apathy 
and indifference of the United States government in this case, and its 
complete lack of a bold ana vigorous assertion of its power, and of its 
determination to hunt out and bring to condign punishment the red- 
handed murderers and robbers engaged in this wrong, are so much in 
keeping with its past policy in dealing with Mexico and her bandit citi- 



Report op Adjutant-General. 21 

zens, as to encourage every Mexican thief and cutthroat on the border 
to ply his villianous trade at his pleasure upon the soil of Texas. Re- 
curring again to the Mexican raids on the lower Rio Grande, I wish to 
call special attention to the following papers, offered by Mr. Schleicher 
from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, in connection with and as a part of 
his report from said committee on this subject: Testimony of Brigadier- 
General E. O. C. Ord, commanding Department of Texas; testimony of 
Thomas L. Kane, of Pennsylvania, and Lieutenant-Colonel William R. 
Shafter, Twenty-fourth Infantry, United States army; affidavits of B. 
C. Greenwood, James H. Perry, and others, citizens of Texas; evidence 
of Lieutenant John L. Bullis, Twenty-fourth Infantry, United States 
army, and of William Schuchardt, United States commercial agent at 
Piedras Negras, Mexico; evidence of General William Steele, Adjutant- 
General of Texas, of Major John B. Jones, commanding Battalion of 
Texas Rangers, and of Colonel John S. Ford, State Senator of Texas; 
report of citizens' committee of Brownsville, Texas; that of the Adju- 
tant-General of the State, and one from Major Joseph E. Dwyer, a State 
Senator; affidavits of Jesus Sandoval, Anastasio Cavasas, and many 
others following; testimony of J. G. Tucker, Major Wm. R. Price, 
United States army; Thos. F. Wilson, United States Consul at Matamo- 
ros, Mexico; H. S. Rock, United States inspector of hides and animals, 
Brownsville, Texas; and Hon. W. H. Russell, city attorney of Browns- 
ville, Texas; affidavits of ColoHel Santos Benavides and Captain Refu- 
gio Benavides, both of Laredo, Texas. 

In coming, now, to the discussion of Indian raids and depredations 
upon the people of Texas, it maybe well to state again, that only a small 
part of the history of this Indian warfare is touched by the repoi't of Mr. 
Schleicher, as only the bloodly work of the small bands of savages who 
made their homes in Mexico, is included in his statement, while the foul 
and cruel crimes of the Comanches, Kioways, Apaches and others, who 
carried death and spread ruin and desolation far and wide along the 
northern and western borders of Texas, are not mentioned. Such infor- 
mation as we possess will be presented, and as hideous as are the details, 
they fall far short of the facts, and it is easy for one acquainted with the 
peculiar and unfortunate condition of Texas at the close of the late civil 
war, and for years after, to understand why this should be true. The dis- 
turbed condition of the country; the lack «f a stable and permanent 
State government; the widely-scattered and helpless condition of the 
border settlements; the absence of mail facilities or other means of easy 
communication, and the small number of newspapers then in the State, all 
united to make it nearly impossible, in many instances, to get specific in- 
formation in regard to Indian raids and depredations, even though it was 
positively known that the border was being scourged by such raids. In 
this way and from these causes, scores of murders and outrages in the 
dark and bloody past have found no place in the written pages of Texas 
history, though leaving ruined homes, aching hearts, tearful eyes and fright- 
ful memories as evidence of their dread reality. The history of Texas for 
more than forty years shows an almost continuous state of warfare be- 
tween her people and the blood thirsty devils of the Mexican and Indian 
races along her western and northern borders, and within the last 
twelve or fifteen years the war-whoops of the savages have been heard 
within seventy-five miles of the State capital. Many counties that 
had organized and were becoming prosperous before the late war, were 
depopulated by these Indian forays, and the whole line of frontier set- 



22 Report of Adjutant-General. 

tlements kept for years in a state of mind alternating between fear and 
fury, by these incessant predatory, attacks. In a report made by F. L. 
Britton, as Adjutant-General of Texas, in 1872, to Governor E. J. Davis, 
then Governor of the State, I find the following language on this sub- 
ject: "The protection of the frontier of the State of Texas from 
marauding bands of Indians has been for years a subject of much cor- 
respondence on the part of our State authorities. The Comanches, Sioux 
and Kioways follow down Red River, cross into the northern counties, 
and, under cover of the ' Cross Timber,' ravage the sparseiy settled sec- 
tion of the northwest, even carrying their depredations into more thickly 
settled parts. The Kickapoos and Lipans, from their secure camping 
ground in Mexico, make periodical excursions into Texas, crossing the 
Rio Grande above Eagle Pass generally, and traverse the entire south- 
western section of the State. The exact amount of loss of life and 
property by these bands of hostile Indians has not been ascertained. 
Sufficient evidence to indicate the immense loss thus sustained by the 
frontier citizens, however, is on file in this office, and a report of the 
same is hereto attached, marked Exhibit ' F.' " This exhibit shows of 
horses, mules and cattle killed and stolen, 12,882, and estimates their 
money value at 8375,958. It shows 46 persons killed, 11 wounded and 
17 carried into captivity by these Indians. This exhibit includes eleven 
counties only, and offers incomplete reports, as stated in a foot note. 
We quote again from General Britton's report, as follows: 
" The importance attached to ' frontier protection ' by the Twelfth Leg- 
islature may be seen from the legislation had thereon. At its called session 
a joint resolution was approved May 24, 1870, as follows: 'Joint resolu- 
tion asking the Congress of the United States to prevent the Republic of 
Mexico from harboring bands of Indians who devastate the southwestern 
frontier of the State of Texas;' also, 'An act to provide for the protection 
of the frontier,' was approved June 13, 1870, under which fourteen (14) 
companies of Texas rangers were raised and mustered into the service 
of the State, and by act approved August 12, 1870, the sum of seven 
hundred and fifty thousand ($750,000) dollars in State bonds, known as 
' Frontier Defense Bonds,' were authorized to be issued by the Governor 
to pay all expenses connected therewith. The cost of the maintenance 
of these companies is fully set forth in 'Exhibit G,' hereto attached. 
The total expense for quartermaster's stores, transportation, forage and 
rations, interest, ordnance and ordnance stores, medical supplies and 

services, being 8451,154 48 

To which must be added vouchers on file unaudited 653 50 

Total $451,807 98" 

General Britton again says: 

"During the first session of the Twelfth Legislature, the fol- 
lowing action was had regarding 'frontier protection:' 'Joint 
resolution asking the Congress of the United States to send a joint 
committee to the frontiers of Texas to inquire into and report upon the 
number of murders and extent of the outrages committed in Texas dur- 
ing the last five years, and now being committed in Texas, by bands of 
Indians living within the territory of the United States, and harbored 
within the Republic of Mexico,' passed March 15, 1871. Also, a 'joint 
resolution instructing our Senators and requesting our Representatives in 
Congress to use their exertions to effect the removal of bands of Co- 
manche and Kioway Indians to a point at least one hundred and fifty 



Report of Adjutant-General. 23 

miles from tbe civilized settlements or organized counties in Texas,' ap- 
proved March 18, 1871. Also, 'An act to provide for the release of 
children or other persons, citizens of the State of Texas, who are, have 
been, or may hereafter be, held as captives by the Indians,' approved 
April 5, 1871. Under this act, $5000 were appropriated." 

General Britton further says: 

"During the second session of the Twelfth Legislature, 'An act to 
muster into service minute men for the protection of the frontier,' was 
passed and approved November 25, 1871. Under this act, twenty-two 
(22) companies of minute men were mustered into service." 

General Britton estimated the expense of these minute men for one 
year at $107,492.75. 

In a report made in December, 1870, to the Adjutant-General of 
Texas, by H. J. Richarz, captain commanding Company E, Texas Fron- 
tier Force, I find the following: 

Sik: Since my last report we have had hard and bloody work here. * * * 
At daybreak on the fifth of December, I started on a scout with fourteen men and 
three citizens who had volunteered, to scout the country between the Marcos and 
the Rio Grande, in order to intercept that band of Indians who stole the horses a 
hundred miles from here, near Fort Inge. That same day I met messengers from 
Fort Duncan, who brought in the news that about three hundred Comanches and 
Kiowa3 r s, and about two hundred Kickapoos and Lipans, divided in parties of from 
fifty to one hundred warriors, all armed with rifles, Spencer rifles and pistols, be- 
sides their customary arms, were sweeping this part in every direction. * * * 

Twenty-five miles from the Rio Grande 1 met a messenger and some United States 
officers, who informed me that the scouting party of my company I had mentioned 
in my last report, under command of Dr. Woolbridge, our medical officer, who had 
volunteered, and Corporal Eckhart, consisting of fourteen men * * * on 
an open prairie, twelve miles from the Rio Grande, had overtaken that band of Co- 
manches who had killed David Adams and two Mexicans near the Pendencia, had 
gallantly charged them, and had stood their ground against seventy well armed 
savages, and had defeated them, killing eight warriors and wounding about fifteen. 
* ' * * * * * * * * -# 

During the nkht of the eighth of December, my guide, whom I had sent towards 
the Eagle Pass road to meet a spy, returning to my camp, informed me that another 
band of Indians had appeared near my post at Fort Inge, in overwhelming num- 
bers ; had attacked two of my rangers at the Blanco, sixteen miles east of Fort Inge, 
and had killed them. Their names are Walter Richarz (my son) and Joseph Riff. 
Another band, the Kickapoos, had been seen near Uvalde, riding in the direction of 
the Frio river. * -x- * * * 

The grass is getting worse every day. and as the tribes protected by the Mexicans, 
have a secure base of operation of two hundred and fifty miles long, watching my 
movements under the eyes of the United States troops, having distinctly and for- 
mally notified me that they had determined to drive me from the place, and sweep 
the country to Bexar county, it is not reasonable to be expected that I can always 
successfully operate in every direction against half a thousand well armed savages, 
with thirty-eight privates. ***** 

If it was not for this cursed international law. I know very well what to do to 
clean out these bloody savages on the other side of the Rio Grande. 

From the report of the Adjutant-General of Texas, for the year 1873, 
I make some extracts, as follows: 

There is now organized and armed, along the frontier, under acts of November 
25, 1871, and June 3, 1873, twenty -eight minute companies, designated and officered 
as per exhibit, page 137, appendix. In addition to the above, four of the seven 
companies, authorized by your circular letter, dated November 1, 1873, have been 
organized and mustered into service as per General Orders No. 2, current series, 
from this office, which, with your letter, is hereto attached. V 2(-A.PP- , P- 131-133.) 



24 Repoet op Adjutant-General. 

These extracts from official reports all indicate in unmistakable terms 
a constant state of warfare over a wide extent of country on the fron- 
tiers of Texas, continued losses of life and property by the citizens of the 
State, and unceasing efforts by successive legislatures in enlisting troops 
and keeping them in ihe field, at heavy expense, to repel these hostile in- 
vasions. 

Adjutant-General William Steele, in his official report to the Governor 
of Texas for the year 1874, adds to the testimony above given as to a 
contining state of war along the borders of Texas, and uses the following 
language in showing the efforts made by the State to meet this condition 
of public affairs: 

" Under the law approved April 10, 1874, for frontier protection, and for which 
an appropriation was made May 4 ensuing, the battalion of six companies was or- 
ganized and in the field by the thirtieth" of the same month. One company of 
twenty-five men was raised for the El Paso district; a like company at Laredo, Webb 
county, and a company of fifty to operate on the lower Rio Grande and as far east 
as the Nueces river. * * * * All of these companies, since their 
armament, have been actively engaged. 

General Steele again says: 

A still greater benefit to the frontier was rendered on the twelfth of July, when 
Major John B. Jones, commanding the frontier battalion, with his escort, Captain G. 
W. Stevens, and a portion of his company — in all thirty-seven officers and men — 
encountered a strong war party of Indians, numbering from one hundred and 
twenty-five to one hundred and fifty, and after an engagement of several hours du- 
ration, forced them to take shelter amongst the rocks, from whence they made their 
escape under cover of the night, and immediately took the back track out of the 
settlements. The loss of life and property prevented by this timely and gallant 
action can only be imagined. * * * * * * * It would 
not only have cost the lives of many men, women and children, with all the concom- 
itants of savage cruelty, but would have effectually broken up many new and thriv- 
ing communities, setting back the progress of frontier settlement for years. 

And again he says: 

Other actions of less importance have occurred, resulting in the killing of a 
numbe : of hostile Indians, and the recovery of a considerable amount of stolen pro- 
perty. * * * 

In the exhibit marked " D," attached to and made a part of Adjutant- 
General Steel's report, above quoted, will be found, among other things, 
the following memoranda: 

May 7, 1874. — Captain E. F. Ikard, company "C," Frontier Battalion, with six 
men, attacked a party of ten Indians, driving toward Indian Nation a herd of some 
one hundred and fifty head of cattle. *:■*.* " :< July 9, 1874. — Ser- 
geant W. T. Fouchee, company " C," and eight men, was charged upon by fifty 
Indians. * * * * July 11, 1874. — Lieutenant G. W Campbel', com- 
pany "C," and twenty men, found an Indian camp on Big Wichita. After a slight 
skirmish with seventy-five or eighty Indians, captured forty three-horses and mules 
and some camp equipage. * * * * 

On July 12, 1874, the fight already mentioned occurred between Major Jones and 
his escort and a large band of Indians, at Lost Valley. 

July 25, 1874. — Sergeant T. M. Israel, company " E,'' and twenty-one men, struck 
a party of six Indians near head of Clear Fork of Brazos. Killed two Indians and 
one horse; captured one brave, who next day died of his wounds. * * * 

August 22,1874. — Captain Neal Caldwell, company " F," with scouting party, 
caught sight of nine Indians; gave unsuccessful pursuit; took up one horse dropped 
by Indians. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 25 

The large war party of Indians defeated by Major Jones at Li st Val- 
ley July 12, 1S74, was commanded by the celebrated Kiowa chief, l: Lone 
Wolf," and in many other of the forays upon Texas the Indians were 
led by their most noted and prominent warriers and chiefs, thus demon- 
strating that this determined hostility to the people of Texas had its 
origin with the tribes as such, and was not the work, merely, of small, 
unattached and irresponsible bands. The fact that these incessant raids 
were and always have been authorized and directed by the Indians in 
their organized capacity as distinct tribes, and not simply by detached 
and prowling bands, has long been known in Texas, and could be sup- 
ported, if necessary, by abundant proof ; the instance just mentioned 
being in point, besides the well-known cases of Satanta, Big Tree, Little 
Bull, and many other noted chiefs, who were met and fought upon Texas 
soil at the head of large bands of their own people. Satanta, Big 
Tree and Little Bull were all captured in Texas,* and were all sent to 
the penitentiary — Satanta and Big Tree by formal trial and conviction 
for their crimes, and Little Bull for safe keeping for the time. Little 
Bull died in prison, and Satanta and Big Tree were released upon con- 
ditions, which they afterward deliberately violated, and Satanta was 
recaptured and again sent to the penitentiary, where he broke his neck 
by suicide, or in attempting to escape. The precise facts of his death 
are not at my command just now, and are not material to my present 
purpose. 

The long continued indifference of the general government to the ex- 
posed and helpless condition of the border settlements of Texas, its fail- 
ure to furnish adequate protection against invasion, and the fearful and 
bloody results of this indifference and failure, had forced the people of 
the State to attempt the difficult, dangerous, and expensive duty of pro- 
tecting themselves; the belief in the necessity for this protection being 
so deep-seated and wide-spread among all classes of our people as to in- 
duce positive action from successive State governments for many consec- 
utive years. Every Legislature that met in the State had something to 
do to provide ways and means to meet the demands of the people on this 
question, and as late Is the year 1876, the new Constitution then adopted 
had recognized this necessity, and had given permanency to this idea of 
frontier protection, by incorporating in the fundamental law of the State 
that the Legislature, among other things, shall have the right to levy 
taxes "for the protection of the frontier." In every way in which it 
could be made known the people of Texas have manifested a desire to 
let the whole world have the facts, and only the facts, as to the necessi- 
ties imposed upon them by this this atrocious border warfare, and the 
losses and sufferings originating therefrom. By legislative enactments, 
repeated and continued for many years, to raise men and money to defend 
the frontier, and by joint resolutions appealing to Congress and to the 
general government; by direct applications from successive Governors 
of Texas to the President of the United States, and to military com- 
manders; by reports and recommendations of commissioners appointed 
by Congress to inquire into this question of frontier protection for Texas; 
by reports of large public meetings of citizens of the State and petitions 
from these citizens, and by repeated presentation of the claims of Texas 
against the United States government for a return of moneys actually 

* I find that Satanta and Big Tree were arrested really at Fort Sill, Indian Ter- 
ritory, but for crimes committed in Texas. W. H. K. 



26 Report op Adjutant-General. 

paid by the State for protecting her own frontiers against these hostile 
invasions; by all these means and in all these ways this question has 
been presented, examined and discussed for years, without securing ade- 
quate needed protection from the general government, and without ob- 
taining reimbursement for any part of the large sums of money paid by 
the State for that which, by all obligations, should have been rendered 
fully by the common government. 

In the official report of Adjutant-General John B. Jones, made to the 
Governor of Texas, in 1S80, I find the following: 

The company at El Paso, under Captain G. W. Baylor, has been of great service 
to that section of country, in protecting the settlements against raids by the Indians 
from the. Fort Stanton reservation in New Mexico. * * * 

Again General Jones says: 

Captain Baylor joined General Grierson, of the United States army, in his oper- 
ations against Victorio's band of Indians, and was engaged in that campaign twen- 
ty-five days during the months of August and September last. * * Again 
in October Captain Baylor took the field against this notorious Indian chief. 

I quote again: 

The three companies stationed on the border of the settlements, under Captains 
Roberts, Marsh and Arlington, have been constantly engaged in scouting after In- 
dians and outlaws, except, etc. 

Again : 

There were several raids into this region during 1879 by small thieving bands of 
Indians from Fort Sill and Fort Stanton reservations, and these raids were more 
frequent last winter than for several years before, especially during the months of 
January and February, when the snow storms prevented the troops from following 
their trails successfully. The rangers had several engagements with these bands, in 
one of which private W. B. Anglier, of company ''B," was killed. 

In the notes appended to the report of the Adjutant-General of Texas 
for the year 1SS2, among others relating to Indian raids will be found 
this one, marked " Note D:" 

From January 16 to February 6, 1881, Captain Baylor and fifteen men, company 
"A," and Captain Neville and nine men, company " E," both started from their re- 
spective posts on a scout after Indians who killed a stage driver and passenger at 
Quitman canyon. Captain Baylor struck a trail going into Mexico, and near Los 
Pinos struck a larger trail, the two joining and going towards the Rio Grande, 
which it crossed ten miles below Ojo Caliente. 

On twenty-third struck Indian camp which they had left in haste, as horse meat 
just killed, was left cooking. They left their buckskins, saddles, hides, blankets, 
quilts, etc. Ground was frozen so hard that trail could not be found again, and the 
company scouted to Eagle Station. Here Captain Neville met Captain Baylor and 
detachment. The combined force took the trail six miles east of Eagle Springs, 
and followed it until on morning of twenty-ninth they surprised the camp of eigh- 
teen or twenty Indians at sunrise, killing six, capturing sixteen horses and mules, 
two Winchester and one Remington carbines, saddles, bridles, blankets and camp 
equipage, and also captured one squaw and two children. 

Other raids followed this, and these hostile incursions are still sources 
of fright and of loss, at times, to our border settlements, two having 
occurred within the last three months, several murders being committed 



Report of Adjutant-General. 27 

by the Indians engaged, but as these hostile acts transpired subsequent 
to June, 1882, they will not be more particularly mentioned herein. 

In connection with and as a part of this report, I append, and ask spe- 
cial attention to exhibits marked one to fifteen, inclusive, and also a 
" General Statement " accompanying said exhibits, and presenting their 
contents in a tabular form. In examining these details, it must be borne 
in mind that they are, as before said, only partial and incomplete re- 
ports, falling far short of the truth. It will be seen, however, that this 
" General Statement " notes 416 of our people killed and 79 wounded, by 
these murderous bands of raiders, and SI carried into captivity; 21,608 
horses and mules, 43,393 cattle, and 2430 sheep and go^ts were stolen 
or killed, besides much other property and money carried off or de- 
stroyed. For these enormous losses in property no return has ever been 
made to the citizens of Texas, except such small recaptures of stolen 
stock as might have been accomplished by the State troops. This hastily 
drawn outline of facts has been made under difficulties, and in the midst 
of much other labor, but as incomplete as it is, it is believed to contain 
sufficient proofs of the constant, brutal and relentless character of the 
border warfare with which the people of Texas have had so long to con- 
tend, as to fully vindicate the State in presenting her claims for partial 
reimbursement, at least, from the general government, and to forcibly 
indicate the stern necessity under which we were compelled to undertake 
the duty of self -protection. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

W. H. King, 
Adjutant-General of Texas, and Secretary Frontier Defense Board. 



28 



Report ©f Adjutant-General. 



Exhibit No. 1. 



Statement of Indian depredations committed on the Frontier of Texas 
since the close of the War to August 5, 1867, from records on file 
in offices of Governor and Secretary of State. 



A 


Date Subse- 
quent to War. 


County where Com- 
mitted. 


PersonB. 


Property Destroyed 
and Stolen. 




£ 
£ 


3 


1 


o 


| 


o 


A 


1 

w 


Remarks. 






Kerr 














70 
103 

88 
191 
220 
182 
409 
215 

57 
137 

44 

16 










7 
6 
7 
29 
3 
8 
3 
1 
2 
1 










1000 










2 
3 

2 
1 


2 
8 
3 
1 
1 
1 






Co'ty Judge says 
" Report incom- 
plete; not half re- 
ported. 








7 
1 


11,620 
3,066 










500 














1 


400 

4 

2,720 


















































827 




























1 
4 
2 
2 






















5 


4 


1,308 




154 
185 
94 
150 
75 
16 
75 
46 
40 
110 
100 




















2 


1 
1 
1 


1 


























5 


2 






























1 

1 
9 
29 
7 
4 
6 




































1 


5 


7 


1,000 

238 

5,000 












930 








































500 




38 
















































10 




4 


4 






454 




















Wise 
































151 




81 

3 

136 

28 










1 
4 


3 

2 


1 
2 


1 
1 












4 


















Feb'y 4, '67 .... 

July 12, '67 

July 15, '67 

July 16, '67 

July 19, '67.. , 
July 19, '67 






4,000 




losing $4000 prop. 






2 
2 

\l 
2 


4 


1 
4 
2 






































Young (added) 






























2 


1 
























Ind. (100) made a 








163 


24 


44 


29 


30,838 


2,430 


3,781 


Wise, Parker and 
Toung. 



It ia proper to state no official reports have been received from Wise county, one of the heaviest suffnrers 
There are other counties known to have suffered severely from which no reports have been received. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 29 

August 5, 1861. Governor J. W. Throckmorton writes to Hon. E. M. Stanton, 
Secretary of War, that he transmits a statement of casualties, etc., etc. You will 
observe that 162 persons have been killed, 43 carried into captivity, and 24 wounded ; 
29 have been reclaimed. Amount of property stolen, 30,838 cattle, 3781 horses, 2430 
sheep and goats. (Depredations of last month not included.) 

August 8, 1867. Governor J. W. Throckmorton, in his address announcing his 
removal from office, states that Mrs. Box and 4 daughters captured in Montague 
county, Mrs. Luster captured in Wise or Jack, and a Norwegian boy from Bosque 
county, were reclaimed. A lad named Buckalow, of Uvalde county, was stolen by 
a Mexican from the Kickapoo Lipan Indians, and returned to his friends. It is not 
certainly known as to the number that still remain victims among their merciless 
captors, but the last data indicates there are still 14, if they are not dead. On the 
twelfth instant in Hamilton county, a lady and gentleman were killed, a lady and 
several children wounded, and a little boy carried off. About the middle of last 
month an extensive raid was made through Jack, Wise, Parker and Young coun- 
ties, the Indians passing in sight of United States post of Buffalo Springs. On the 
raid in Parker county Mr. Briscoe and wife were killed and their 4 children carried 
off. In Young county 3 young men were killed. It reiterates the casualties as 
forwarded to the Secretary of War, and says all the exhibits are filed in the exec- 
utive office. 



30 



Report op Adjutant-General. 



Exhibit No. 2. 



Partial Statement of Depredations by Indians from 1867 to November 
1, 1875, compiled from various reports received at Adjutant- Gen- 
eral's office and not included in any annual report issued from 
that office. 





Previous to 1S73 since 1866. 


Since 1S73 to Date. 




Citizens. 


Stolen. 


Citizens. 


Stolen. 


Counties. 


W 


1 




i& 


T3 

IS 
w 


o 


5 


1 




si 


la 
a 


1 


Colema 


2 

10 


3 


2 


2 


57 
G19 


1,010 
7,710 
2,650 


3 

.". 
3 
:', 
3 


4 
1 


2 


5 

J 
2 


670 
271 
24 
182 
476 
























710 
















125 




ii 

3 
18 


4 
1 


1 

2 
IT 




500 

480 

1,195 






















"Dei t 


























1 


1 
137 
12 




Clav 














1 
1 
1 






250 










































1 






2 

:'. 
5 
2 


1 


1 

3 




705 
474 
254 
25 


25 




































B 


1 


2 














































6 


4 






62 
10 
70 
88 

186 
40 
24 

300 




Call-il i 


































1 
1 












8 








92 












Uvalde 








































75 
















2 
5 


1 




3 






1 








103 
32 
































4 






35 
445 
25 
33 
10 
10 
4 
66 
4 
50 
340 
130 
98 




Tom Green 




























37 














Brown 




























































1 
3 
1 






1 






















2 


1 


1 




1,177 




1 




1 

1 




























"Wise 


13 




5 




441 
64 




3 
1 
1 
































































Mi^ut have been reported by Gov. 
Throckmorton and therefore de- 


75 
6 


13 

1 


34 
1 


2 


6,255 


11,396 


45 


15 


2 


17 


3,809 


1,160 














2 


17 








69 


12 


33 


2 


6,255 


11,395 




3,809 


1,160 











Total killed 114 

wounded 27 

carried off 35 

attacked „ 19 

horses and mulea stolen 10.064 

cattle stolen 12,555 



Report of Adjutant-General. 31 

Coleman county. United States mail coach plundered in 1814. 

Menard county. One house burned in 1866. 

Live Oak county. One wagon plundered iu 1869. 

Bandera county. One house robbed and gutted in 1873. 

Young county. One train captured and destroyed and 7 teamsters burned in 1811. 

El Paso county. One salt train destroyed in 1875. 

Maverick county. One stage attacked and destroyed in 1875. 

Notes. — This statement, based upon the material in my office, I am aware, 
is very incomplete. A single glance at the above exhibit shows that it 

does not contain the part of the depredations by Indians on the 

frontier since the war. The frontier .people, after a few reports which 
yielded to tbem no results, have discontinued reporting their losses. The newspa- 
pers teem with accounts of raids with their coucomitant horrors, of which my office 
has no official information. I doubt whether it is possible for any one person in 
any county, to know the extent of dt-predations by Indians in his own count}'. As 
there is no registry kept of the depredations, if Indians murder and steal in one part 
of the county, the fact is often not known in the other parts of the county. I am 
satisfied that the official]}' reported evils of rapine, murder and robbery constitute 
but a small percentage of those with which the frontier has been afflicted. There is 
no money value that can be affixed to the captivity of women and children. The 
losses on the Rio Grande have not entered into this exhibit. The Congressional 
Commission which, after some months devoted to an examination of the subject, re- 
ported losses of aboat thirty millions, should know more than can be known without 
a like examination. 

(Signed) Wm. Steele, Adjutant-General. 

The above exhibit is made from the following detailed reports: 

COLEMAN COUNTY. 

J. M. Elkins reports: June 1, 1871, Indians attacked the herd of Coffey, Beddo 
& Johnson and stole 50 horses and 1010 cattle, and killed Williams and Lemons, 
and wounded young Coffey and another man. 

June 4, 1871. Indians stole 7 horses and mules. 

June 23, 1871. Indians attacked the ranch of J. S. Hart; resistance by ten 
men and Indians driven off; 1 Indian killed and John Heslep (white) wounded. 

June 24, 1871. Indians again attacked J. S. Hart's ranch. 

April — , 1873. Indians stole from J. B. Franks 75 horses; from J. S. Christian 

40 horses; from R. P. Robinson, 60 horses; from Mrs. Barton, 4 horses; from 

Waldrup 1 horse; from Thos. Reynolds 35 horses; from David Smith 3 horses, and 
from Gholson 2 horses. 

May — , 1873. Indians stole from Whitehead 8 horses. 

June — , 1873. Indians stole from widow Brown 1 horse, aad from Frank Clayton 
and Koen (recaptured by his company), 80 horses. 

June 11, 1S73. Indians again in county (J. M. Elkins on trail). 

July 7, 1873. Indians killed Mrs. Williams and two children, on line of Cole- 
man and Brown counties. 

August — , 1873. Indian., stole from Robinson 73 horses. 

September — , 1873. Indians stole from G. R. Elkins 11 horses. 

September 24, 1S73. Indians attacked Sergeant B. F. Best and 5 men of Coleman 
county minute men. Lieutenant Cusack, Ninth Cavalry, U. S. A., came to their 
rescue and routed the Indians. 

October — , 1873 Indians stole from Jno. Rhodes 8 horses; from Gholson and 
Elkins 22 horses; and from C. M. Mann 10 horses. 

November — , 1873. Indians stole from Gholson and Miles 10 horses; and from J. 
Hetson, 27 horses. 

January — , 1874. Indians attacked U. S. mail coach, on Hordes creek. 

January 24, 1874 Indians stole from Willis Brown 12 horses. Pursued by Lieu- 
tenant Elkins and ten men of minute men company, and Lieutenant Gusman with 
ten United States soldiers. While on scout Indians attacked the camp of Elkins 
and stole 11 horses. 

February — , 1874. Indians stole from S. S. Gholson 21 horses. 

March — , 1874. Indians stole from Gholson and Miles 15 horses, and 13 fromW. 
B. TSrown. 

April—-, 1874. Indians attacked S. S. Gholson's ranch and stole 15 horses. 
Stole from C. M. Mann 4 horses on same day. 



32 Report of Adjutant-General. 

July — , 1874. Indians stole from R. V. Underwood, at his house, 1 horse, and 
from Pecan bayou several horses. 

September — , 1874. Indians stole 50 horses from Elkins, Gholson, Franks and 
Mann. 

October — , 1874. Indians stole 14 horses from Mann. 

October 3, 1874. Indians stole 15 horses from Gholson, 7 from Byrd, 10 from 
Clay Mann. A few hours later attacked Sergeant M. T. Israel, Company E., Fron- 
tier Battalion. 

November — , 1874. Indians attacked C. M. Mann's herd and stole 2 horses. 

November 12, 1874. Indians attacked W. Brown, R. V. Underwood and N. 
Rogers and captured all their horses (including the pack), except those ridden by 
the persons named. 

Note by Elkins. — It is impossible to come at the number of cattle stolen, the 
amount is so great. All the above occurred in my neighborhood. 

MENARD COUNTY. 

Louis Wilson, sheriff, reports: 

August 1, 1866. Indians killed Wm. McDougal and wounded Clara Shellenburg. 

September — , 1866. Indians killed F. Conway and wounded P. Robinson. 

In 1866 they burned one house and stole 89 horses and 4800 cattle. 

June — , 1867. Indians killed B. Smith and Ruff. 

In 1867 Indians stole 83 horses and 1500 cattle. 

December — , 1868. Indians killed Antonio. 

In 1868 Indians stole 119 horses and 200 cattle. 

In 1869 Indians stole 108 horses and 60 cattle. 

February 25. 1870. Indians captured Mrs. D. Field. 

December — , 1870. Indians killed Samuel Harris and captured a colored soldier. 

In 1870 Indians stole 152 horses and 100 cattle. 

January 12, 1871. Indians killed Tallus Smith. 

March 20, 1871. Indians killed George Gentry. 

March 31, 1871. Indians stole 68 horses. 

In 1871 Indians stole a herd of 1050 cattle from C. R. Perry and killed 2 of hia 
herdsmen. 

P. H. Mires, justice peace, reports: 

May — , 1872. Indians killed James Scull, Mr. Bradbury, a transient man, and 
Neighbors, and stole 100 horses. 

April 6, 1874. Indians stole 73 horses from T. W. Mann and wounded one of 
his employes. 

January — , 1874. Indians stole 2 horses from W. J. Vaughn, 14 from F. Mann 
and three from Coglan. 

May — , 1874. Indians stole 70 horses from Nash and Mann while herders were 
eating and resting. 

August — , 1874. Indians seriously wounded 2 cow hunters. 

August 26, 1874. Indians stole 6 horses from Denton and 3 from Ellis. 

August — , 1874. Indians killed Shelton, at Gooch's ranch. 

November — , 1874. Indians seriously wounded Wm. Brown. 

KIMBLE COUNTY. 

July and August, 1868. Indians stole from Raus Moore 1150 cattle; 1000 from 
Jim and Bud Baker; 500 from Dick Barton, and about 6000 from other parties. 

March 1, 1873. Indians stole 4 horses from — Spears. 

April 1, 1873. Indians stole 3 horses from — Spears and 4 from Barton. 

August, 1813. Indians stole 10 horses from Ed. James and a party from San 
Antonio. 

February, 1874. Indians attacked old man Hamilton and young Nolan, but were 
beaten off by citizens. 

July 1, 1874. Indians stole 3 horses from John Hamilton, 1 from A. Collins, and 
1 from Louis Cass. 

J. Schurchard, justice of the peace, reports: 

In 1875 Indians killed a man and a boy, and a month later 1 woman. * 

June and July, 1875. Indians stole horses from Mr. Williams, who pursued them, 
killing one Indian and recapturing the stock. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 



KEKB COUNTY. 

A. McFarland, justice of the peace, reports: 

February — , 1S73. Indians killed — Terry and two of his children near Centre 
Poiut; carried off 2 children, 1 black and 1 white; woman made her escape by hid- 
ing in the brush; stole all loose horses on Johnson creek; attacked^ McDonald, 
and stole from McDonald and others 20 horses. 

June — , 1813. Indians stole 11 horses from near Centre Point. 

May — , 1874. Indians chased Mr. Philips to within two miles of Kerrville; stole 
30 horses from Michon and others, and were within one mile* of camp of Captain 
Randlebrook, U. S. army. 

June — , 1874. Indians stole 11 horses from Creed Taylor, 20 from Daniels, and 
10 at Centre Point. 

August — , 1874. Indians stole 20 horses from South Fork of Guadalupe, and 
from — Parsons and others; recaptured by rangers. 

June 14, 1875. Indians driving lot of horses passed 1 1-2 miles of Kerrville. 

June 17, 1885. Indians stole 4 horses and shot 2, near Centre Point. 

June 19, 1875. Indians stole 17 horses near Centre Point. 

May 19, 1875. Indians stole S horses near Centre Point. 

February 24, 1815 . Lieutenant Henry Schwethelm, Kerr county minute men, had 
a fight with Indians, wounded several, and recaptured some horses. 

In 1S74 and 1S75 Indians stole fiom John Billings 200 cattle and 4 horses; Amos' 
Billings, 200 cattle and 4 horses; H. L. Nelson, 50 cattle and 1 horse; Peter Corn, 10 
cattle and 3 horses; John Callahan, 50 cattle and 13 horses; D. Turneyubt, 50 cattle 
and 2 horses; C. P. Smith, 50 cattle and - 2 horses; H. Henderson, 100 cattle and 2 
horses. 

SAN SABA COUNTY. 

Lieutenant W. H. Ledbetter reports: 

January 9, 1873. Indians in county. 

April 7 and 13, 1873. Indians stole 34 horses. 

April 29, 1873. Indians stole 17 horses, but abandoned them, as his (Lieutenant 
Ledbetter's) company got so close. 

July 2, 1873. Indians stole 40 horses, and the band of between 30 and 40 Indians 
were pursued by his company. 

July 2, 1873. Indians wounded Wolf. 

October 30, 1873. Indians stole ten horses from Austin. 

August 3, 1873. Indians killed Newton Phillips on Cherokee creek. After 
Indians had concentrated at Blue Mountains (from trail seen afterwards), they must 
have had between 500 and GOO horses. 

Justice of Peace reports in one precinct: 

February — , 1873. Indians stole 17 horses from 7 persons. 

April — , 1873, Indians stole 53 horses from 19 persons, and killed W. R. Gregg 
at Rough creek." 

May — , 1873. Indians stole 22 horses from 7 persons. 

July — , 1873. Indians stole 49 horses from 9 persons. 

September — , 1873. Indians stole 46 horses from 13 persons. 

November — , 1873. Indians stole 27 horses from 10 persons. 

December — , 1873. Indians stole 12 horses from 3 persons, and killed R. Spiller 
at Deep Creek. 

March — , 1874. Indians stole 11 horses from 6 persons. 

April — , 1874. Indians stole 32 horses from 10 persons. 

August — , 1874. Indians stole 12 horses from John Thomas and W. Ake; 6 
from Kit Wood and others; 3 from Tippen; 10 from G. H. McDaniel; 25 cattle and 
3 horses from J. Henderson. 

Lieut. W. H. Ledbetter further reports : 

December 2, 1873. Indians stole 17 horses from J. Lindsey. 

March 26, 1874. Indians in county and stole several horses. 

April 17, 1874. Indians with 100 cattle pursued by his (W. H. L.) company. 

James Hanua, justice peace, further reports : 

ifuly 31, 1874. Within eight days four parties of Indians visited county, stealing 
stock. Pursued by citizens. Stock recaptured and two Indians wounded. 



34 Report of Adjutant-General. 

HAMILTON COUNTY. 

David Smith, sheriff, reports : 

January, 1866 to 1871. Indians stole 500 horses. 

Spring of 1866. Indians killed two negroes. 

December 25, 1866. Indians killed ¥m. Willis. 

June — , 1867. Indians killed Miss Whitney and a man who was moving, and 
Wounded his wife and two children, and wounded a young lady and carried off a 
boy; also killed Geo. Fuynce. 

» LIVE OAK COUNTY. 

Sanders Pearce, sheriff, reports : 

August ,15, 1868, to December 31, 1870. Indians stole 480 horses and mules. 

September 20, 1869. Indians attacked and captured a six-mule wagon, loaded 
with goods valued at $3000. 

September 26, 1876. Indians killed Thomas Stringfleld and his wife; carried off 
their sons, Dolpbus and Thomas, and killed a Mexican, name unknown. 

DENTON COUNTY. 

W. F. Egan, sheriff, and J. M. Waide report : 

Indians carried off son of Wm. Freeman, three children of McElroy, wife and 
four children of James Box, and killed James Box. 

January 5, 1868, Indians killed Leatki,-r-wocd , Long, Fitzpatrick, wife and child, 

Parkhill, — — Meuascoe and child, and carried off two children of Fitzpatrick, 

Mrs. Sligog and child, two of Menascoe's children, Miss Carrolton and one negro 
boy. 

August and September, 1868. Indians killed one widow woman and five children, 

S. Fortenbury, Sol Forrister and Coonis. Indians wounded Jeff. Chissum and 

stole 400 horses. 

October 25 and 30, 1868. Indians stole 500 horses. 

July and August, 1870. Indians made four raids and stole 100 horses. 

May — , 1871. Indians made one raid and stole 40 horses. 

November 1 and 14, 1871. Indians made two raids and stole 40 horses. 

December 31, 1871. Indians made one raid and stole 65 horses from me. 

Early part of 1872. Indians made several raids and stole — horses. 

August 17, 1872. Indians made one raid and stole 50 horses. 

August — , 1874. Some 40 Indians passed through with stolen horses. (See Wise 
county.) 

ABCHER COUNTY. 

Major John B. Jones says : 

August — , 1874. Some 40 Indians passed through with stolen cattle. (See Wise 
county.) 

J. U. Loving reports : 

April — , 1875. Indians attacked J. B. Loviug's ranch and stole 5 horses and 
mules from G. B. Loving & Bro. and 2 horses from me. 

CLAY COUNTY. 

M. M. -Knight, justice peace, reports: 

In 1873 Indians killed 1 man on line of Montague county, and stole 10 horses. 

Major Jno. B. Jones, Frontier Battalion, reports: 

September — , 1873. Indians stole 100 cattle from H. Williams at mouth of Gilli- 
land creek. 

.November — , 1873. Indians stole 8 horses from R. Warren and others. 

October — , 1873. Indians stole 15 horses from H. Whaley on Red River. 

January ■ — , 1873. Indians stole 6 horses from H. Williams. 

March — , 1874. Indians passed near Ikard's ranch with 20 horses stolen in set- 
tlements. 

April 1, 1874. Indians stole 5 horses from E. F. Ikard, 2 from Beavens, and 2 
from Williams. 

April 15, 1874. Indians stole 15 horses from Dan Wagner. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 35 

April 20, 1874. Indians stole 12 horses from E. P. Ikard, stampeded his herd and 
crossed Red River towards Fort Sill. 

May 1, 1874. Indians stole 2 horses from E. F. Ikard, and 1 from Henry Lick, 
and 2 fiom Ikard at mouth of Bear creek. 

May 7, 1874. Indians stole 150 cattle from E. F. Ikard (recaptured by his com- 
pany.) 

U. H. Hamilton reports: 

April, May, June, and July, 1874. Indians stole 37 horses from H. Williams. 

WICHITA COUNTY. 

Major Jno. B. Jones, reports: 

October 14, 1873. Indians killed Preston Allison on Big Wichita. This led to rais- 
ing of seven companies of Rangers by Governor Davis . 
October 8, 1874. Indians stole 12 horses from H. Williams, Buffalo Head creek. 

PARKER COUNTY. 

Lieutenant J. C Gilleland, Parker county minute men, reports: 
August 9, 1873. Indians killed J. M. Hemphill and his horse, attacked 5 citizens 
of Veal's station, taking several horses from them. 

KENDALL COUNTY. 

J. F. Steudebach, sheriff, reports: 
July 16, 1860. Indians killed Henry Meier. 
November 24, 1866. Indians killed Theo. Gothardt. 
November 24, I860. Indians carried off a colored boy. 
July 16, 1S69. Indians wounded Adolph Rosenthall. 
From 1866 to 1870, Indians stole 25 cattle and 705 horses. 

M'MULLEN COUNTY. 

McMullen county sheriff reports : 

Since 1866 to 1870, Indians killed 3 persons. 

Since 1866 to 1878, Indians carried off 3 persons. 

Since 1866 to 1878, Indians stole 474 horses and mules. 

BURNET COUNTY. 

R. W. Cates, sheriff, reports: 

January — , 1866. Indians stole 30 horses. 

February 15, 1869. Indians killed Emma Jones. 

November 17, 1869. Indians killed F. M. Smith, and stole 49 horses. 

May 15, 1870. Indians stole 25 horses. 

August — , 1870. Indians stole 5 horses. 

August — , 1870. Iodians killed Captain Habey. 

December — ,1870. Indians stole 45 horses. 

January 3, 1871. Indians stole 40 horses. 

February 8, 1871. Indians stole 31 horses and killed 2 colored girls. 

October 15, 1867. Indians stole 29 horses. , 

BEXAR COUNTY. 

Fred Bader reports : 

February — , 1871. Indians stole 25 horses in vicinity of San Antonio. 

March — , 1871. Indians killed a lady within 15 miles of San Antonio; Indians 
killed a Mexican within 17 miles of San Antonio; Indians earried off 2 boys and 
stole several horses. 

COMAL COUNTY. 

E. Kellner reports : 

June 29, 1871. Indians wounded August Knibbe. 



36 Report of Adjutant-General. 

BANDERA COUNTY. 

A. H. Barter and Chas. Montague, jr. (clerk district court), report: 

January 27, 1813. Indians killed Jos. Moore and wife, and stabbed their four 
children; Indians robbed house of Santos Gonzales; Indians killed Philip Gertin, 
— Bernstein, E. Flores and Fel. Montez. 

October 6, 1873. Indians stole 9 horses from W. J. Weaver, C. Montague and 
others. 

May — , 1874. Indians stole 30 horses from Schmidke & Hay and others. 

Winter of 1874. Indians stele 12 horses from W. W. Benton and S. B. Hough. 

Summer of 1875._ Indians stole 5 horses from Preston. 

September — , 1875. Indians stole 2 horses from F. L. Hicks, 2 from L. Schroder, 
1 from J. N. Elam and 1 from J. Brooks. 

FRIO COUNTY. 

San Antonio Herald, seventeenth, says: . 
Indians stole several horses from Wilson Bailey. 

CALLAHAN COUNTY. 

Lieutenant J. W. Jones (Callahan county minute men) reports: 
January 1, 1874. Followed an Indian trail — not overtaken. 
March — ■, 1874. Indians stole horses from neighborhood. 
September — , 1874. Indians stole ten horses from Hart, a cow herder. 

ZAVALLA COUNTY. 

Lieutenant Pat Dolan says : 

September — , 1873. Indians killed Ben Pullim and stole 23 horses; Indians stole 
34 horses from W. Dougherty and 13 from A. C. Bennett. 

YOUNG COUNTY. 

J. C. Loving says : 

April 10, 1871. Indians stole 22 horses from me, and 20 from G. W . Slaughter & 
Son. 

May — , 1871. Indians stole 10 horses from C. E. Rivers and myself, and killed 
Helerin; scalped him alive. He lived 36 hours afterwards. 

May — , 1871. One hundred and fifty Indians captured a mule train of Warren & 
DeBose, and burned^ teamsters to death, and robbed and destroyed whole train. 

May — , 1871. Indians stole 40 horses. 

December 1, 1874. Lieutenant B. F. Kutch and Young county minute men sur- 
prised a party of Indians and recovered 5 horses. 

July — , 1874. Indians stole 8 horses from Captain Tackett. 

Denton Monitor and H. D. Williams (J. P.) says: 

February 19, 1875. Indians killed Harmon and stole 75 horses. 

UVALDE COUNTY. 

Major J. B. Jones reports. 

March — , 1874. Indians stole 28 horses from Kilso & Reynolds. 
May — , 1874. Indians stole 14 horses from Wister's ranch. 
June — , 1874. Indians stole 5 horses from Bowler. 
September — , 1814. Indians stole 23 horses from Adams, Collam & Co. 
October — , 1874. Indians stole 30 horses from Adams, Collam & Co. 
November — , 1874. Indians stole 15 horses from Thompson and others, on 
Sabinal. 
November — , 1874. Indians stole 11 horses from Heath, and 2 from Griffin. 
July 18, 1875. Indians stole 58 horses, 

KINNEY COUNTY. 

J. Strickland says: 



Report of Adjutant-General. 37 

September 24, 1875. Indians stole 75 cattle from near San Felipe, and all the 
horses. 

San Antonio Herald says: 

Indians stole 40 horses in four miles of Fort Clark. 

COMANCHE COUNTY. 

N. Yarborough says: 

Indians repeatedly stole horses in this county in past two years, and on several 
occasions in last six months. 

Major Jno. B. Jones reports: 

September — , 1873. Indians killed 1 man, working for J. G. Halsell; wounded 
1 man working for H. Williams, and stole 8 horses from Halsell and Williams. 

Deci-mber — , 1873. Indians stole 6 horses from Halsell and Waggoner; killed 
Robt. Leslie six miles from Comanche. 

August — , 1874. Indians stole 10 horses from Thos. Wright. 

JACK COUNTY. 

J. C. Loving reports: 

June — , 1871. Indians killed Chas. E. Rivers, and stole 50 horses and mules. 

May — , 1872. Indians stole 29 horses from me. 

June — , 1872. Indians stole 4 horses from me; and 20 horses from Jno. Slaugh- 
ter. 

June — , 1873. Indians stole 10 horses from me, and 8 from other parties. 

September — , 1873. Indians stole 9 horses from G. B. Loving. 

October — , 1873. Indians chased one of my herders into camp and stole 4 horses. 

October — , 1873. Indians chased two of my herders into camp. 

November — , 1873. Indians stole 9 horses from me. 

March — , 1874. Indians stole 8 horses from me. 

May 20, 1874. Indians killed Wright (one of my herders). 

July 12, 1874. Indians (150 in number), chased me and some of my herders. 

August — , 1.874. 40 Indians passed through with stolen cattle. 

February — , 1875. Indians stole 12 horses from me, and 30 from parties in Lost 
Valley. 

May — , 1875. Indians killed 3 horses in fight with Major Jones, and one was rid- 
den off by Indian that escaped. 

T. W. Willingham. justice of the peace, reports: 

October — , 1873. IndiaDS killed H. Walker and his son, on Salt Fork of Keechi. 

November — , 1873. Indians killed Harris on Main Fork of Keechi. 

July 10, 1874. Indians killed Jno. H. Heath; stole 200 horses and mules from 
Hensly, Cooper, Lindsey and Rogers. 

MONTAGUE COUNTY. 

J. C. Loving reports: 

October — , 1872. Indians stole 32 horses and mules from my ranch, but belong- 
ing to O. L. Carter. 

LLAJS T COUNTY. 

E. K. Beeson, justice of the peace, reports: 
October — , 1873. Indians stole 23 horses. 

August 6, 1S73. Indians stole horses, and in ensuing fight wounded W. B. M/>ss, 
Arch Marlin, Eli Loyd and P. Ayers. 
August 15, 1873. Indians stole 12 horses. 

TOM GREEN COUNTY. 

W. Kelly reports: 

November — , 1874. Indians stole 1 horse. 

April, — , 1875. Indians stole 2 horses. 

J. L. Millspaugh reports: 

November — , 1873. Indians stole 21 horses. 



38 Eeport op Adjutant-General. 

March — , 1874. Indians stole 3 horses. 

September — , 1874. Indians stole 5 horses. 

July 12, 1815. Indians stole 6 horses. 

P. Alderette, justice of the peace, reports: 

Indians stole 402 horses and mules. 

J. Mullens reports: 

July — , 1874. Indians stole 3 horses. 

February — , 1815. Indians stole 2 horses. 

MASON COUNTY. 

Major John B. Jones reports: 

Indians stole 8 horses from Tucker & Slaggs and 2 from Newman & Edwin. 

SHACKLEFOKD COUNTY. 

C. H. Hamilton reports: 

July — , 1872. Indians stole 7 horses and mules from Ed Wakes' ranch, and 30 
from Jos. Browning. 
August — , 1873. Indians stole 7 horses from Graham's ranch. 
June and July, 1875. Indians stole IS horses from Carter's ranch. 

BROWN COUNTY. 

Lieutenant H. B. Adams, minute men, reports: 

October 9, 1873. Indians stole horses in neighborhood of Brownwood; company 
pursued, but did not overtake them. 

October 23, 1873. Indians stole horses at Millican's ranch, 13 from neighborhood 
of Clear creek and 20 near Flat Top. 

March 27, 1874. Sergeant J. J. Carter, Brown county minute men, engaged Iu- 
dians and retook 3 horses from them. 

EL PASO COUNTY. 

J. D. Spears reports: 

March — , 1871. Indians killed J. E. Ford. 

W. Telesfero Montes reports: 

September 13, 1875. Indians stole 4 horses in suburbs of San Elizario. 

September 14, 1874 Indians stole 6 horses and attacked a salt train. 

M'CULLOCH COUNTY. 

Lieutenant W. H. Ledbetter says: 

April 29, 1873. Indians killed Bill Goodman on Brady creek. 

D. S. Wells reports: 

March 17, 1873. Indians killed Wm. Denham and his son-in-law, Cusick, and 
stole 4 horses. 

GILLESPIE COUNTY. 

Alfred Hunter, Sheriff, reports: 

Spring of 186(5 Indians carried off Fisher, a boy. 

August 19, 1870. Indians killed Louis 'Spardt. 

February 27, 1871. Indians killed John McComit and wounded Ed. McComit. 
From 1866 to 1871 Indians stole 1142 horses and mules and killed 35. 
Lieutenant B. F. Casey (minute men) reports : 

February — , 1874. Indians stole 20 horses from Spring creek and Perdenales. 
February — , 1874. Indians stole 40 horses from Doss valley. 
Julius Schuchard, justice peace, reports : 
Indians killed Mr. Hazlewood on Spring creek. 

In 1875 Indians stole 6 horses from Adams and Nabers and tried to capture Miss 
D. Nabers, firing several arrows at her. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 39 



.MAVERICK I'lirSTV 



March 15, 1875. Indians attacked stage on El Paso road, near Bell's ranch. Cut 
harness to pieces, stole 4 mules and wounded driver in lea-. 



ERATH COUNTY. 

D. R. Burroughs reports: 

January 17, 1874. Indians stole 50 horses eight or ten days ago. 
Lieutenant N Keith (minute men) reports: 

April 18, 1874. More Indians on frontier than ever before; coming down on foot 
by hundreds from the Reservation. 

WISE COUNTY.' 

T. L. Stanfleld, justice peace, reports: 

September — , 1866. Indians killed Isabel Babb and carried off Doff Babb, 
Bank Babb and Mrs. Roberts. 

November — , 1866. Indians killed John Bailey. 

In 1867 Indians carried off Thomas Bailey and Richard Freeman. 

In 1S6S Indians killed Mary Russel), Martha Russell, Hawig Russell, boy Russell, 
Buck Green, William Bailey, Johnson Miller, Frank Cornes and Mrs. Vick. 

July 12, 1S70. Indians killed H. A. Dawson. 

February — , 1871. Indians killed Stephen Hampton and stole 441 horses. 

June 25, 1873. E. F. Ikard, of Clay county, had a skirmish with Indians in this 
county, and recovered several horses from them. 

tr. W. Stephens says: 

October — , 1873. Indians stole 40 horses. 

January — , 1874. Indians stole several horses. (Recaptured by his company. ) 

June — , 1874. Indians stole several horses. (Recaptured by his company.) 

August — , 1874. Indians stole 300 horses from Denton, Clay and Wise counties, 
but Indians were overtaken and most of the horses recaptured. 

August — , 1874. Indians killed Mrs. Huff and two grown daughters. Scalped 
and mutilated them. 

PALO PINTO COUNTY. 

J. C.Loving says: 

September — , 1871. Indians stole 22 horses from me and 26 from C. L. Carter. 

C. H. Hamilton says: 

June 7, 1872- Indians stole 16 horses from David Warren. 

April to August, 1873. Indians stole 100 horses from John Hayes. 

February — , 1875. Indians stole 20 horses, which were retaken by citizens, after 
a sharp engagement. 

Major John B. Jones says : 

In fall of 1873 Indians killed Veal. 

January 29, 1874. Capt. W. C. McAdams, with his company, recaptured 4 horses 
from Indians. 

February — , 1874. Indians stole several horses from J. W. Linn and others. 

STEPHENS COUNTY. 

Major John B. Jones reports: 

June — , 1873. Indians stole 24 horse's from Jim Carter, on Sandy. Indians stole 
23 horses from Currents, Holhem, Johnson and others. 

In 1873 and 1874. Indians stole 6 horses from E. L. Walker. 

January — , 1874. Indians stole 4 horses from Currents. 

February and March, 1874. Indians stole 5 horses from Watkins and 22 from 
Joe Browning, on Clear Fork. 

July — , 1874. Indians stole 2 horses from Watkins, at Fort Griffin, 8 from 
Schoolcraft, and 4 from Currents. 

Indians killed Marion Stockdale at Browning's ranch, on Clear Fork of Brazos. 

September — , 1874. Indians in neighborhood again. 

November — , 1874. Indians stole several horses from Currents, at Pickettsville. 



40 Eepoet of Adjutant-General. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

E. D. Linn writes from Wichita, Kansas, that 250 Comanches and Cheyenne War- 
riors are making preparations for a raid in Texas. 

A gentleman (name suppressed) reports on April 3, 1874: Lone Wolf, with a 
large war party, obtained a pass to go to Texas for the ostensible purpose of recov- 
ering the body of his son, killed on the Nueces. The Indians bitterly complained 
to him of having lost thirty young men, killed by the Panos (Texans.) 

April 4, 1874. The same party reports : Two days ago a large party of Co- 
manches started on the war path for Texas. 

May 5, 1874. A large party of-Cheyennes and Comanches left on war path 
April 30, and following them a large parly of Nocony Comanches, intending to 
raid in Texas. Is informed that a party just returned from Texas, bringing two 
scalps and a large herd of horses, and that Lone Wolf 's intended raid will take place 
immediately after the " Big Medicine Dance." 

May 20, 1874. Lone Wolf and a small party left for Texas, May 17. It is ru- 
ored in the Comanche camp that ten of their tribe got killed in Texas lately. 

June 13, 1874. He never noticed a stronger indication of hostility from the In- 
dians, and only a good surveillance will prevent a raid on Texas frontier. 



Exhibit No 3. — Statement of results of operations of frontier 
forces from October 27, 1870, to May 4, 1871, consolidated for 
use, and reported to the Constitutional Convention of State 
of Texas on September 30, 1875. 

Company G. — Captain C. G. Falcon reports that on April 21, 1871, his company 
recovered 130 head of cattle from Mexican thieves at Las Cuevas, on Rio Grande, 
and wounded one of the thieves. 

Company H. — Captain B. Chamberlain, February 25, 1871, reports arrest by his 
company of several cattle thieves (Mexicans) in Zapat:. county. 

Company B. — Captain A. H. Cox reports that on May 4. 1871, Sergeant R. V. 
Parker and 11 men of his company attacked and defeated a band of 40 Indians on 
Rocky creek, Palo Pinto county, killing 10 warriors and recapturing 40 horses; 4 
men of company were wounded. 

Company C — Captain J. W. Sausom reports from Kerr county that on October 
27, 1870, when in pursuit of a band of Indians, he recaptured 6 horses and 2 mules. 

Company E. — Captain H. J. Ricliarz, reports December 4, 1870, Indian raid in 
numbers from Mexico, and pursuit and recapture of 5 horses. On December 9. 1870, 
reports an engagement with Indians, 8 killed and 15 wounde !, and 3 rangers killed, 
amongst whom was the captain's son. 

Company F. — Captain D. P. Baker, reports from Wise county, February 7, 1871, 
engagement between 10 men of his company and 40 Indians; 2 Indians killed (one 
a chief) and several wounded; recaptured 2 horses and 1 mule. 

Company P. — Captain J. P. Swisher reports from Coleman county, January 23, 
1871, a skirmish with Indians; 1 Indian killed and several wounded; recaptured 38 
horses ; one ranger wounded. 



Exhibit No. 4. — Statement of 'results of operations of Minute 
companies in 1872, 1873 and part of 1874, compiled for use of 
and transmitted to the Constitutional Convention of the State 
of Texas, September 30, 1875. 

Company A. — Lieutenant James Ingram, stationed in Blanco county in February, 
1872, reports heavy bodies of Indians in his district; capture of one white woman 
by them, and" unsuccessful pursuit. 

On August 16, 1872, reports Indians in the county; company pursued, but com- 
pelled to withdraw; 2 Indians killed-and several wounded; 3 rangers wounded. 

Company B. — Lieutenant G. W. Stevens, stationed in Wise county, on April 13, 
1S72, reports that his company recaptured 13 horses from Iudians. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 41 

On July 30, 1872, reports some horses captured from Indians by his company. 

On August 11, 1872, reports fight of himself and 8 men of his company, with 100 
Indians on August 3, killing chief and 20 Indians; 1 ranger killed ; all the horses 
of the detachment killed. 

On September 9, 1873, reports the company having a fight with Indians, and re- 
covered 10 horses. 

On February 5, 18*74, his company followed Indians and recaptured all their loose 
stock. I 

Company E. — Lieutenant Henry Schwethelm, stationed in Kerr county, reports 
that on June 29, 1S73, his company had a running fight with 15 Indians, and cap- 
tured 7 horses and mules. 

On Februay 22, 1874, company had a running fight with Indians. 

Company F. — Lieutenant Hudson, on August 26, 1872, reports one citizen killed 
by Indians. Scout pursued and recovered 2 horses from them. 

Company G. — Sergeant Carter (of G-. H. Adams' company) stationed in Brown 
county, reports having on March 27, 1874, engaged a party of Indians and recovered 
3 horses and some Indian trophies in San Saba county. 

Company I. — Lieutenant •'. M. Waide, stationed in Cooke county, reports 50 
horses being recovered from Indians. 

Company L. — Lieutenant J. M. Elkins, stationed in Coleman county, on June 9, 
1873, reports having recaptured 80 horses in a fight with Indians; on June 11, 1873, 
his company had a running fight of fifteen miles with Indians; killed 1 and 
wounded 2; in November, 1873, his company engaged a party of Indians, killed 3 
and recaptured 17 horses. , 

Company N. — Lieutenant W. H. Ledbetter, stationed in San Saba county, reports 
that on October 30. 1873, a detachment of his company engaged a party of 7 In- 
dians. 



Exhibit No. 5. — Statement of the results of the operations of 
the Frontier Battalion, Major John B. Jones commanding, 
from May, 1874, to August 31, 1875, tabulated from reports of 
Ad jutant- General William Steele, dated respectively August 
31, and December 31, 1874, and August 31. 1875, also transmit- 
ted to Constitutional Convention September 30, 1875. 

Headquarters. — Major John B. Jones, with Captain G. W. Stephens, Company 
B, and Lieutenant J. T. Wilson, Company A, and 34 men, on July 12, 1874, en- 
gaged over 125 Indians at Lost Valley, in Jack county; 3 Indians were killed and 3 
wounded, 2 rangers killed, 2 wounded, and 12 rangers' horses killed and disabled. 

(Note by Adjutant-General William Steele.) Probably the greatest benefit de- 
rived to the Slate from this force (Frontier Battalion) was the driving back, on July 
12, 1874, of a large Indian war party, commanded by Lone Wolf, that invaded 
Texas for the purpose of revenge. (See "Miscellaneous" in Exhibit No. 2.) The 
loss of life and property which was thus prevented can not be estimated. 

Major John B. Jones with his escort, on May 8, 1875, engaged 7 Indians and killed 
5. One ranger wounded, one ranger's horse killed and 2 wounded. 

Company A.— November 17, 1S74, Lieutenant J. W. Millican overtook a party of 
Indians in Shackelford county and recaptured 2 horses and 2 mules. 

Company C— May 7, 1874, Captain E. F. Ikard with 6 men attacked 10 Indians, 
drove them fighting, 15 miles, hit an Indian who fell from his horse, and captured 
herd valued at $1500. 

July 11, 1874, Lieutenant G. W. Campbell and 20 men attacked a camp of 75 to 
80 Indians, captured 43 horses and mules and some camp equipage. 

July 9, 1874, Sergeant W. T. Fouchee and 8 men charged upon 50 Indians, fell 
back, took shelter in brush, firing kept up 3 or 4 hours, when Indians left; one horse 
wounded. 

Company D.— Noyember 21, 1874, Lieutenant D. W. Roberts with a detachment 
of his company, engaged, in Menard county, a party of 11 Comanche Indiaus, kill- 
ing 5 on the field, capturing 1 Indian (Little Bull,)' 3 horses, 1 Spencer rifle, and 2 
Remington pistols. Lieutenant Roberts gave up pursuit on account of the horses 
of his command being broken down, but Lieutenant L. P. Beavert, Company B, 
with Major Jones' escort of 2 men, ovi rtook the remaining 5 Indians, when they 



42 Report op Adjutant-General. 

took refuge in a cave, where he fought them until night, killing 1 and wounding 1. 
Under coyer of the intense darkness, the other Indians escaped. 

December 18. 1874, a detachment of 3 men of Company D, fought 9 Indians, 
killed 2 and wounded 2, and recaptured 16 horses, and all their camp equipage. 

August 7, 1875, Lieutenant D. W. Roberts, after following a party of Indians 
400 miles, attacked them on Staked Plains, killed 1, wounded 1, recovered a Mex- 
ican captive, and recaptured 23 horses. 

Company E. — July 12, 1874. Lieutenant B. P. Best recovered. 2 horses taken by 
Indians. 

July 25, 1874. Sergeant M. T. Israel, with 21 men of company, struck a party 
of 6 Indians, near head of Clear Fork of Brazos. Three Indians killed , 1 ranger 
wounded. 

November 18, 1874. Lieutenant B. P. Best and 16 men overtook a party of In- 
dians in Brown county; killed 3 and wounded 1. One Indian horse killed and 2 
captured. Two rangers wounded and one ranger's horse killed. A number of blan- 
kets, bows, arrows, etc., fell in our hands. This fight occurred after following In- 
dians a distance of 20 miles, and from Coleman county. 

El Paso County Minute Company. — About September 15, 1874, Lieutenant Tel- 
esfero Montes, with 12 men of his compauy, attacked a party of 7 Indians, killing 
2 and recapturing 5 horses, saddles, bows, arrows, etc. Also, recoveied a boy stolen 
from his parents in vicinity of Presidio del Norte eight months previous. 



Exhibit No. 6. — Results of operations of Captain L. H. McJVelly's 
Company A, Washington County Volunteers, doing duty on the Rio 
Grande, from April 1, 1875, to August SI, 1875, compiled for use of 
Constitutional Convention of Texas, and transmitted September 
30, 1875. 

On June 12, 1875, this company overtook a party of 16 Mexican thieves. Killed 
15, wounded 1, and recaptured 263 head of cattle. One ranger killed. 

In July, 1875, this company recaptured 300 head of cattle from a party of Mexi- 
can thieves, who, hearing of the company's approach in pursuit, deserted the herd 
and succeeded in escaping. 

In June, July and August, 1875, the comoany recovered from the other side of 
the Rio Grande 43 horses belonging to parties in Texas. 



Exhibit No. 7. — Statement of results of operations of State troops, 
from September 1, 1875, to August 31, 1876, compiled from re- 
ports of frontier Battalion, McNelley's Company, and minute 
companies, for annual report of Adjutant- General Wm. Steele, 
for August 31, 1876. 

Company A. — While on a scout on August 1, 1876, near source of Colorado, at 
head of Champion creek, struck seven Indian wigwams, very recently abandoned. 
Blankets, tent covers, saddles, etc., were found. Six miles above twelve more 
wigwams were found abandoned. March stopped by prairie being on fire. 

Company B. — From sixteenth to thirtieth October, 1875, company on grand scout to 
Pease river. At mouth of said river found an Indian camp, abandoned about two 
weeks. 

July, 1876. — Scouts picked up an unarmed squaw on the plains; turned her over 
to military authorities. 

Company D. — May, 1876. On fifth Indians reported on head of Sabine. Lieu- 
tenant Roberts and party of Company D, and Sergeant Reynolds and 10 men in pur- 
suit. On sixth Sergeant Hawkins found " late signs " of Indians going west, 
eighteen miles west of Llano. From ninth to fifteenth August, 1876, Sergeant Hawkins 
scouted on headwaters of Llano for Indians coming north from Uvalde. On fif- 
teenth Sergeant Hawkins struck trail on Duck creek, followed in close pursuit to 
Port Concho, aud there lost the trail. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 43 

On fourteenth August, 1S76, Lieutenant D. W. Roberts and 6 men started on trail of 
Indians who passed near Menardville. This Indian party stole 25 horses \u Menard 
and Concho counties, and was dispersed by a party of citizens before rangers could 
reach them. 

Compakt E. — Lieutenant B. S. Foster and 10 men, Company E, Frontier Battalion, 
struck an Indian trial on Colorado river, and followed it thirty- five miles. Discovered 
the Indians at 4 a. m.; charged their camp, routed them, wounded 1 Indian and cap- 
tured 40 horses. Fifty Indians (number in party), rallied, charged and recaptured the 
horses. Lieuteuant Foster's force being too small to fight the Indians and hold the 
horses, it retired. They had eleven lodges. Company captured new blankets 
marked U. S. I. D., calico, mosquito bars, saddles, crockery, etc. 

Note by Major Jno. B. Jones, on above fight: I have no doubt from the position 
of the Indians fought by Lieutenant Foster, in July, 1876, with reference to defense, 
concealment and lookout, that their design was to send out raiders into the settle- 
ments. They had just reached the place and were erecting lodges. Lieutenant 
Foster had not force enough to hurt them much, but forced them to take the back 
track. 

Company F. — In December, 1875, Lieutenant Neal Caldwell and party pursued 9 
Indians and 7 horses, seen passing out towards Little Devil's river. 

On eleventh April, 1876, Sergeant Witt and 9 men of company found trail of In- 
dians on Main Frio, where it was reported a man's horse had been shot from under 
him and a boy killed. Lost trail on thirteenth. 

Mr. Williams and a boy killed on the Nueces this month. (Probably same as re- 
ported above without names.) 

On twenty-first April, 1876, Lieutenant Neal Caldwell, with fifteen men, got 
on trail of Indians who stole horses and wounded one man at Paint Rock, on nine- 
teenth. Followed trail, in direction of Devil's river, across the plains a distance of 
seventy miles without water. Horses beginning to fail and men suffering. Quit 
the trail at 2:30 p. m. on twenty-third. Struck southwest and reached water on 
Devil's river at 8 o'clock a. m. on twenty-fourth, command being without water 
for forty-six honrs. Found a large Indian trail about two days old, with eighty or 
ninety horses and mules. Detachment too weak to follow. 

On ninth May, 1876, Sergeant Witt and eleven men learned that Nixon had 

been killed by Indians on head of Camp Wood creek on second instant, and that 
several horses had been stolen on Frio on the third. 

On fourth August, 1876, Sergeant Witt and thirteen men left on scout and learned 
that on first seven Indians went from Nueces to Frio and stole thirty-five horses 
from Frio canyon. Found no trail. 

Captain L.'H. McNelly's Company. — On nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first 
November, 1875, the company was on Mexican soil, at Las Cuevas, after cattle 
thieves and a herd of 250 head of stolen cattle. Killed five Mexicans and wounded 
one. One company horse wounded. Received sixty-five head cattle, turned over 
by Mexican authorities. 

On twenty-eighth December, 1875, a scouting parly of the comyany came across 
a slaughter house for -tolen beeves, about forty miles north. of Las Cuevas. Ran- 
chero in charge arrested. After an ineffectual attempt to bribe the sergeant he 
tried to escape and was killed in the attempt. 

On thirtieth January, 1876, detachment of the company tried unsuccessfully to 
find trail of Mexicans who stole seventeen horses near San Nicholas ranch. 

On May 17, 1876, five miles from Edinburg, company struck a party of four Mex- 
icans crossing stolen eattle. Kil'ed two, badly wounded one, recovered seven head 
cattle and six horses wi h equipments. This was done while Escobedo (Mexican 
general) was dining with United States officers at Edinburg, and in sound of Esco- 
bedo's band of twenty pieces. 

El Paso County Minute Men. — In November, 1S75. the company, under com- 
mand of Lieutenant Telesfero Montes, followed a trail of three Indians, who stole 
nine horses from near Socorro. Killed one Indian, recovered seven horses and 
mules, and captured three Indian ponies. 

In March, 1876, Lieutenant Montes reports Indians coming in often. Were in 
twice last week and stole horses. 

On April 16, 1876, Indians stole horses from near San Elizario. Company fol- 
lowed trail for two days and nights. Saw them going over the mountains into their 
reservation at Dog Canon. While watering the horses and resting, the company 
was fired into by 200 Indians, armed with needle guns and pistols. Company es- 
caped during night. 

Kerr County Volunteer Militia. Company. — On fifteenth January, 1876, 
Corporal R. A. Watson and three men attacked four Indians and wounded one. 



44 Report of Adjutant-General. 

Exhibit No. 8. — Statement of Depredations by Indians from October 
2, 1875, to August 81, 1876, reported to Adjutant GeneraTs Office by 
various parties, but not noted in previous Exhibit (No. 7 ). 

March, 1876. Captain N. Coldwell, ompany F, Frontier Battalion, reports that 
Mexican Indians killed 3 persons on Nueces river, Edwards county; attacked 2 men 
near Camp Wood, killed 1 horse and drove 4 off. 

Lieutenant Pat Dolan, Company F, Frontier Battalion, reports that Indians stole 
13 horses from Barksdale, Hatch & Co., in Edwards county. 

April, 1816. Captain N. Coldwell. Company F, Frontier Battalion, reports that 
22 Indians passed through Frio and Medina counties; killed 1 man on Black creek, 
Frio county, and stole 30 horses. 

Captain N. Coldwell reports that on the nineteenth another party of Indians raided 
through Frio and Uvalde counties and drove off 80 horses from Mart. "Woodward. 

Lieutenant P. Dolan, of same company, reports that on twenty-second Indians 
killed E. Wohrman, in Kinney county, and took his gun and pistol, which they 
sold to one Dr. Cherokee, in Morales, Mexico. Same party stole 20 horses from 
Kingsbury and Holmes, in Uvalde county, and 30 from Levi English, in Dimmitt 
county. 

June, 1876. O. M. Keesey reports from Fort Davis that Indians have taken 21 
horses from him. Remarks that he saved his herd four times in last four months, 
and Indians mortally wounded one of his herdsmen. 



Exhibit No. 9 — Statement of Depredations by Indians and operations 
of State Troops from September, 1876, to November, 1877, compiled 
Jrom Reports received by various persons, and from company com- 
manders. 

September, 1S76. Lieutenant Pat Dolan and party ot Company F, Frontier Bat- 
talion, scouted for Indians, who stole 4 horses from Bud Pullen, Edwards county; 
5 from Bull Head creek, and 13 from Lackey and others, at Frio canyon, and killed 
9 men during this raid at Sabinal, Frio, and other places. 

Captain D. W. Roberts, Company D. Frontier Battalion, reports that on sixth In- 
dians raided in Kimble and Concho counties, and on fifteenth through Kimble and 
Menard counties, and stole quite a number of horses. 

October, 1876. Petition from citizens of Frio county (signed by sheriff, county 
judge, justice peace, district clerk, and forty-four others) to Governor Hubbard for 
protection, says: " Seven of our citizens killed by a band of Indians in the most 
cruel and atrocious manner on October 1 have been interred within the past twenty- 
four hours." " Since writing the above petition 2 more men were found dead." 
"'Since signing the above 5 more men have been found dead, making 14 killed." 

Captain Coldwell, Company F, Frontier Battalion, reports that on above raid 90 
horses were driven off by Indians. 

Hon. Louis Cardis writes that between fifteenth and twenty-fourth of Septem- 
ber Indians murdered 2 men and carried off many head of cattle in two different 
sections of El Paso county. That about third of October much stock was stolen 
and 2 men killed by Indians in same county. That on ninth of October Indians 
attacked 3 employes of the Texas and California Stage Line at Eagle Springs sta- 
tion. El Paso county, killing Chon Marenso and wounding Filipe Garcia. Indians 
were driven off when attempting to capture the stock. That on tenth Indians stole 
and carried off a herd of horses from ranch of Meguel Montayo, El Paso county. 

Sergeant Moore and 8 men of Company E, Frontier Battalion, were from October 
28 to November 5, 1876, on a trail of Indians who stole 14 horses on Valley creek. 
Indians scattered at mouth of Elm. Trail obliterated by rain. Five horses and 1 
mule recovered. 

November, 1876. W. J. Maltby writes from Belle Plain that on twenty-ninth In- 
dians stole 30 horses on head of Pecan Bayou. J. S. Harlan writes from Brecken- 
ridge that on twenty-sixth Indians stole as many as 100 horses in one night in Shack- 
leford county. 

December, 1876. On first Indians attacked Smith, Parker and Hunt, returning 
from a buffalo hunt. The party drove back the Indians, capturing five horses from 
them. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 45 

S-. R. Merritt, Captain Kerr county volunteer militia company, reports that on 
twenty-fourth 8 or 10 Indians stole a number of horses on Bear creek, and killed Sam 
Spears and I. Kuntz. They then stole horses about ten miles of Kerrville, and on 
their way to the Frio stole some more horses and killed — Allen. 

Geo. H. Gray, county judge of Kimble county, says of the above raid that there 
were 13 Indians, and that they got 50 horses in Kimble county. 

Lieutenant. F. M. Moore and 10 men of Company D, Frontier Battalion, were from 
twenty-fourth to thirtieth on trail of above mentioned raiders to the headwaters ot 
the Medina; 12 horses were picked up 

Captain N. Coldwell and 10 men, Company A, Frontier Battalion, scouting after 
Indians, struck their trail on thirty-first, as the Indians passed out, behind the citi- 
zens' scout; citizens recaptured 40 horses. 

Lieutenant G. W. Campbell, Company B, Frotier Battalion, reports that, in Throck- 
morton count}', J. B. Matheus had 21 horses stolen by Mexican robbers. They were cap- 
tured by United States troops at Fort Sill, and 10 horses returned. Loss, $550. 

Sergeant — Moore, Company E, Frontier Battalion, on third, attempted to strike 
trail of two parties of 5 Indians each, who stole 30 head of horses from — Carter. 

Win. Hudspeth, county attorney of Bandera county, writes that on the twenty- 
eighth Indians killed J. M. Phillips, and states that on January 2, 1877, a Mexican 
boy about 15 years old was captured alive by himself (Hudspeth), who said that he 
had been captured by Indians when quite young, and on raid above mentioned was 
lost from the Indian party, and in wandering about for something to eat, and, as he 
says, also for a horse, he was caught by Hudspeth. The boy says he was with a 
party of Indians from Mexico; that on the Llano they killed a man, and were pur- 
sued so closely that they scattered, and this boy was lost from the party the day be- 
fore Phillips was killed. 

January, 1877. Wm. Hudspeth continues: On last Saturday morning (11th) 
Indians were seen in two miles of Bandera, and three men killed there. 

February, 1877. Captain N. Coldwell, Company A, reports Indians seen on Dry 
Frio. 

Lieutenant G. W. Campbell, Company B, reports Indians stole four horses from 
R. W. Crawford, Baylor county. 

March, 1877. Lieutenant Pal Dolan and detachment, Company F, Frontier Bat- 
talion, on twenty-fifth struck trail of Indians on Devil's river; pursued and scat- 
tered them; recovered thirteen horses and all their camp equipage. 

Lieutenant G. W Campbell, Company B, reports thatcamp and wagons of 
O'Brien were burned and horses run off by Indians. Also", that Mr. Soule was 
killed by Indians at Double Mountain, on Brazos. Horses and guns carried off and 
wagons burned. 

April, 1877. Lieutenant Pat Dolan and party, of Company F, Frontier Battalion, 
scouted in search of Indians who stole horses near Round Mountain. 

Lieutenant G. VWCampbell, Company B, Frontier Battalion, reports that at Rey- 
nolds City Indians attacked a nerder's camp and ran off twenty head of stock. 

May, 1S77. Company A, Frontier Battalion, from second to fifth, followed a 
trail of ten Indians and nine horses. Lost trail at head of Devil's river. 

Lieutenant G. W. Campbell, Company B, reports that Mr. Glenn was attacked by 
Indians at Deep creek; ttree horses wounded and harness burned. Loss $260. 
Also, that camp of John Burns & Co. was attacked at same place; three horses 
stolen, wagon and harness burned, and provisions poisoned. Loss $300. 

At same place, same day, same party of Indians attacked Chas. Walters; stole two 
horses, harness, wagon, guns, company outfit, and provisions poisoned. Loss $450. 

June, 1877. Sergeant Jones and detachment, of Company V, Frontier Battalion, 
on twenty-first, struck an Indian trail; on twenty-second trail scattered in all direc- 
tions. 

Captain D. W. Roberts, Company D, reports that above party stole fifty horses in 
Kerr and Kimble counties. 

Three detachments of Company A, Frontier Battalion, scout for Indians said to 
be in county. 

Sergeant Sieker and detachment, Company D, Frontier Battatlion, were from 
twenty-sixth June to July 10, on an Indian trail. Followed them to Devil's and 
Pecos rivers, and picked up thirteen horses. 

Lieutenant G. W Campbell, Company B, reports that Po and Jacobs, near Canon 
Blanco, had camp and wagons burned and mules stolen oy Indians, and at Sulphur 
Springs the same thing occurred to Causey & Co. 

Lieutenant Pat Dolan, Company F, Frontier Battalion, reports that thirteen In- 
dians attacked Bob Johnson and John Leary one mile from Camp Wood, took two 



46 Eeport op Adjutant-Genekal. 

horses and harness from wagon. Stole nine horses from Sam Wells, two from James 
Chalk, one from F. Box. Total, twelve from Uvalde county 

July, 1871. Lieutenant G. W. Campbell, Company B, Frontier Battalion, reports 
that Chas. Calvin was attacked by Indians on head waters of Brazos. His hat was 
shot from off his head, and wagon riddled with bullets. 

August, 1811. Captain N. Coldwell reports that a party of Mexicans killed two 
men near Concepcion, Duval county, and recrossed Rio Grande to Mier, Mexico. 
Captain N. Caldwell reports that 12 Mexicans from Camargo, Mexico, attacked Kio 
Grande City jail, wounded Noah Cox (county attorney), the jailor and his wife, 
and released Segunda Garza, a Mexican murderer, and R. Esprenada and returned 
to Camargo. 

November, 1311. Captain D. W. Roberts, Company D, Frontier Battalion, re- 
ports that a party of Indians raided in Kimble county and stole 35 or 30 horses. 

Captain N. Coldwell reports that a party of Kickapoos attacked the Sanz ranch, 
in Webb county, and killed Francisco and Jesus Reyes. 

Lieutenant Pat Dolan reports 20 Indians stole 5 horses in Nueces canon, Uvalde 
county, and killed Louis Villeneuve, in same place. Stole 26 horses from Mrs. Han- 
nah. Her son followed them into Mexico and found Indians in act of selling horses 
at Saragossa, and demanded but failed to get them. 

Lieutenant N. O. Reynolds, Company E, reports that in 1876- 1 ? Indians stole 15 
horses from Isaac Mullins and 25 from Dan Tankersly, in McCullooh county, 17 
from J no. Gamel, in Mason county, 13 from Wm. Potter and 3 from Hy. Runnells, 
in Kimble countv. 



Exhibit No. 10. — Statement of result of operations of State Troops 
from December 1, 1877, to August 31, 1878 from summarized 
reports saved from the fire when the Capitol ivas burned in No- 
vember, 1881 (letters and reports giving details having been 
burned in said fire.) 

Company A, Frontier Battalion. — Indians raiding in Uvalde county. The 
company patrolled the .county on thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth January, 1878, 
between ranches of Woodward and Bates. On February 10, 1878, Sergeant Horn 
and 10 men attempted to intercept a party of Indians. 

Company D, Frontier Battalion. — Sergeant Henry and detachment from nine- 
teenth to twenty-seventh December, 1877, on scout up Rio Grande and arrested S. 
Comatiche, Tomaso Favures and M. Arcea, Mexican robbers, for highway robbery, 
and pursued another accomplice ten miles into Mexico. 

From January 12 to 14, Sergeant Henry and 10 men in search of trail of Indians 
said to be in Uvalde county. 

On fourth of June, 1878, a scout of 1 2 men of this company struck trail of Indians 
who stole horses at Junction City. Indians were driving the horses, but killed 
them. Scout captured 4 horses and saddles Indians were riding and they escaped 
on foot. 

On eleventh May, 1878, Indians were reported on South Llano river. 

On eighth June, 1878, Indians were reported on head of Little Sabine. 

Company E, Frontier Battalion. — On fifteenth of March Lieutenant Reynolds 
and 10 men pursued Indians reported on Bear creek. 

On sixteenth Sergeant C. L. Nevill and 10 men followed a trail of Indians for 
ten miles and lost it. 

Company F, Frontier Battalion. — On November 27, 1877, Lieutenant Dolan 
and 7 men, scouting to Devil's river, found an Indian camp, abandoned eight or 
ten days. 

From May 20 to June 1, 1878, on a scout after Indians; found trail ten days old. 

Iu June, 1878, Sergeant Jones and 7 men scouted for Indiaus who killed another 
of Colson's sons. Followed trail to Parkmau's ranch and recovered 8 horses In- 
diaus had stolen. On third found Indians had stolen horses at Bull Head and two 
other places. Followed trail all day. About sundown came upon their camp, 
which was abandoned, with a lot of horses, cooked meat, clothing, etc. On fourth 
traveled about 8 miles on the trail, but compelled to quit it to hunt for water. 

From ninth to twenty-third of June, 1878, Lieutenant Dolan and 7 men followed 
a trail of Indians for 70 miles without coming up to them. 



Eeport of Adjutant-General. 47 

Lieutenant Jajees Tay's Detachment op Company C, Frontier Battalion, 
stationed at El Paso, Texas. — In December, 1877, this company, or detachment, 
was subjected to an outrage, committed mainly by Mexican citizens, details of 
which fully appear in report of Adjutant-General Wm. Steele for year ending August 
31,1878. 

In May, 1S78, Lieutenant Tay's detachment pursued a band of Mexican cattle 
thieves, captured the cattle and run the thieves into Mexico. Scouted after Indians 
reported in county; found none, but run a gang of Mexican highway robbers into 
Mexico and had them captured. 

On tenth of August, 1878, a party of men of company en route to the Guadalupe 
were fired on by Indians, who killed H. H. Ruzin, private. Party had to retreat, 
fighting, until they got to an old adobe wall, when firing commenced on Indians, 
and they were driven from out the rocks. They captured Ruzin's horses, and In- 
dians wounded the horse of Lieutenant Tays and Private Logan. 

R. S. Johnson reports that Colson's son was wounded by Indians in June, 1878. 
(Another one killed reported above.) 

Captain N. Caldwell, on April 30, 187S, says that Indians were at Fort Ewell a 
few days ago, but it was not known here until several days after they had recrossed 
the Rio Grande. 

A. W. Chaney, county judge, writes from Fort Davis, April 23, 1878, that on 
twentieth instant Indians killed the mail carrier, at about one mile east of where 
the road leaves the United States mail road, and yesterday 3 more men and 2 horses 
were found killed by Indians. Reports, also, 30 horses stolen, and that since Jan- 
uary 1 there had been picked off by Indians 10 men in the vicinity of Fort Davis. 

Wm. Russell writes from Presidio, January 10, 1S78, that "on fifth instant a large 
band of Indians from Fort Stanton reservation surrounded 30 of my herders, killed 
6 and wounded several, at my farm, the ' Rindoso.' " 



Exhibit No. 11. — Statement of result of operations of State Troops 
from September 1, 1878, to December 31, 1879, from summarized 
reports saved from fire ivhen the capitol tvas burned in Novem- 
ber, 18S1, better and detailed reports having been burned in said 
fire. 

Company B, Frontier Battalion. — On twelfth of June, 1879, Captain June 
Peak, with Sergeant Floyd and 10 men of company, scouted to head waters of Col- 
orado, and on North Concho Sergeant Floyd and one man discovered 2 Indians driv- 
ing 17 horses and mules, whom they charged, capturing all the stock. Sergeant 
Floyd, on being reinforced by Captain Peak (who was at Five Wells), continued 
seout and overtook 3 Indians with 2 pack horses. Rangers on trail all day, but es- 
caped during night. 

June 29, 1879, Corporal Douglass and 6 men, en route to North Concho, struck 
trail of Indians going east; followed it for twenty miles to their camp; cut the 
horses loose and commenced fight; two rai gers' horses killed and horse of McCon- 
nell (citizen) wounded. Night coming on, Corporal Douglass retreated, taking with 
him 8 captured horses, saddles, bridles, etc., but leaving his two pack mules with the 
Indians. At about 12 o'clock same night, Douglas' camp was attacked by Indians, 
but they were driven off. Following the Indians for over 100 miles, Corporal Doug- 
lass discovered his two pack mules on an eminence, seemingly abandoned, and sent 
private W. B. Anglin to secure them, when a volley from the concealed Indians 
killed him (Anglin). The Indians were too strong, and Douglass was forced to call 
off his men and withdraw. Anglin's and Manning's horses were killed, and that of 
Pattie was wounded. In this fight t'.ere were 15 Indian's and 7 rangers and 1 
citizen. 

July 26, 1879, Captain June Peak writes that there is a large Indian camp either 
at "Ward's Wells or Monument Springs. 

AugustlO to 25, 1879, Captain Peak and 7 men in pursuit of Indians who stole horses 
at Holland's ranch.. Captain Peak's horse loosing a shoe, command was turned 
over to Corporal Taylor, who followed trail to 15 miles north of Rio Grande. Cap- 
tain Peak writes that Indians are constantly depreciating on head waters of Main and 
North Concho, and on Colorado river. 



48 Report of Adjutant- General. 

August 24 to 27, 1819, private Bruton and 4 men, while on scout, struck an Indian 
trail, which they followed until it scattered. 

August 24, 1879, Captain June Peak and 2 men, on scout after Indians who stole 
Gardner's horses, struck their trail and pursued so closely thatthey dropped 14horses 
and mules, which were picked up by the command. Corporal Taylor followed their 
trail to mouth of Pecos, where they crossed to Mexico. 

Compact C, Frontier Battalion.— January 1 to 19, 1879, Lieutenant G. W. 
Arrington and 17 men, while on scout,-struck a fresh trail of Indians; killed 1 In- 
dian and pursued another to their camp, where they were confronted by a squad of 
United States troops. 

March 8, 1879. Captain Arrington writes that he is informed that a party of In- 
dians passed north of Blanco canon about February 30, with a large drove of 
horses, and that several bands of Indians are hovering around the settlements in 
that section. 

April 13, 1879. Captain Arrington telegraphs that post commander at Fort Sill 
telegraphs that forty-five Kiowas are reported to have crossed into Texas, coming 
south. 

April 28, 1879. Captain Arrington writes he is informed that 20 Indians killed a 
teamster last week on Tongue river. 

April 30, 1879. Captain Arrington writes: "There are numerous reports of In- 
dians, some of which are reliable, and I look for continual raids as the summer, 
advances." 

June 2, 1879. Captain Arrington telegraphs: " Indians raiding at Blanco canon." 

June 18 and 21. Captain Arrington writes that Wheeler and adjoining counties 
swarm with Indians, under the protection of the U. 8. authorities. That although 
they are not in open warfare, Ihey commit many outrages. That when on scout in 
search of some of these bands, he saw numerous signs and smokes, etc. 

July 12, 1879. Captain Arrington Writes he visited Goodnight's ranch, an dGood- 
night says he lost heavily last winter from Indians; that if he did not get protection 
he would fight them himself. Indians are in the Panhandle country all the time, 
apparently friendly, but for the purpose of killing stock. 

September 11, 1879. Captain Arrington writes: "A runner from Deep creek, 70 
miles southeast, reports a party of Indians having stolen several bunches of horses — 
trail running west — citizens following. I leave in the morning with 15 men to in- 
tercept them." 

September 30, 1879. Captain Arrington writes that he received word that al! 
horses in Tongue river settlement had been stolen night before last. One trail go- 
ing east to the Nation, and a trail of about 60 horses going northwest. 

November 5, 1879. Captain Arrington reports that 23 Indians attacked a party of 
hunters on first at Silver lake. 

December 12 to 23. Captain Arrington and 15 men on scout after Indians who 
stole horses at Double Mountain fork of Brazos, and at Yellow House. On twelfth 
struck trail of 1 2 pony tracks. Indians are also said to be on Eim creek, Collings- 
worth county, killing stock, and shot at a herder, killing his horse. 

July 31, 1879. Sergeant M. Ludwig, commanding detachment of Company C, sta- 
tioned at Ysleta, writes he is informed by Stage Agent Warner that small parties of 
Indians have been crossing the stage- road between Eagle Springs and Cariza for the 
last week, and that a few days ago Indians had a fight with a squad of U. S. colored 
troops, resulting in the defeat of the troops. 

April 20, 1879. Sergeant Ludwig and 6 men struck an Indian trail in Guadalupe 
mountains with 12 horses; followed trail until intercepted by TJ. S. troops. 

August 11, 1879. Sergeant Ludwig and 6 men, on scout to mountains east of Ysleta, 
struck and followed an Indian trail for some distance. 

October 5, 1879. Lieutenant Baylor and 5 men pursued Indians into Mexico, and 
with the assistance of Mexicans fought them at Canon del Morases from 10 a. m. 
until 6 p. m. Indians were intrenched and detachment withdrew. 2 Indians killed. 
Sergeant Swilling's horse killed. 

November'17, 1879. Lieutenant G. W. Baylor and 9 men of detachment left in 
pursuit of Victorio's band of Apaches 200 strong, in the Candelario mountains. 
Found bodies of 26 men killed by Indians, and 3 men missing. 

Company D, Frontier Battalion. — June 5, 1870, Captain D. W. Roberts and 8 
men followed Indian trail from Paint Rock Springs to headwaters of Dove Creek. 
On seventh got in sight and run them 12 miles. Recoverod 20 head of horses from 
them. 

June 15, 1879. Captain Roberts writes that the Indians he followed on the sev- 
enth are the same who killed the Coalson family. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 49 

R. S. Johnson, writing from Brackett, June 3, says that Indians killed Mrs. Coal- 
son and 2 children (boy and girl, Mrs. C. and oldest child shot with arrows, and 
youngest clubbed to death) about 10 miles from Camp Wood. The last seen of the 
Indians was between Camp Wood and Bull Head, where they stole 15 horses about 
9 o'clock yesterday morning. 

Exhibit No. 12. 

Geneaal E. O. C. Ord, United States army, commanding department of Texas, reports 
to the Secretary of War, for years 1878 and 1879, a larger number killed and cap- 
tured than does the Adjutant-General's office of Texas, viz., 26 citizens (additional) 
killed, and 2 citizens (additional) captured. 



Exhibit No. 13. — Result of operations of State troops from 
January 1, 1880, to October 31, 1880, from summarized reports 
saved from burning of the Capitol in November, 18S1. 

Detachment of Company C, Frontier Battalion, stationed at El Paso, Texas. — 
In May, 1880, Corporal Seaborn and 4 men assisted custom house officers and ar- 
rested a smuggling party. Captured 64 oxen, 4 wagons and 15,000 pounds salt. 

In August, 18S0, Lieutencnt G. W. Baylor and 13 men assisted Gen. Grierson, U. 
S. A., to hunt up Victorio's band of Indians. 

Company A, Frontier Battalion, from September 17 to October 19, 1880. — 
Captain Baylor and 13 men assisted Mexican troops and citizens hunting for Victorio 
in Mexico. 

Company B, Frontier Battalion. — In January, 1S80, Captain June Peak and 14 
men, hearing that Indians raided on head of Colorado and had stolen horses on the 
Salt Fork of Brazos, struck 2 trails of Indians coming in from New Mexieo. Ser- 
geant Buchanan also struck a trail of 7 or 8 Indians, coming in between Five Wells 
and Sulphur Springs. In February the scout returned to camp, after following a 
trail of 60 horses on January 17. On eighteenth found a hobbled horse with Indian 
saddle, etc. On nineteenth (January), met 25 citizens hunting 100 stolen horses in 
last 3 weeks. On twenty-seventh found fresh trail; followed it 35 miles to Sand 
Hills. 

February 1, Sergeant Hageman and 6 men of company pursued 9 Indians, who 
stole horses from Lewis' ranch the night previous; followed trail 7 miles, when ob- 
literated by a snow storm. On thir4 struck another trail of Indians who passed 
only a few hours previous, but condition of men and horses was such that it was not 
followed. 

On April 3, 1SS0, a party of 10 Indians was seen crossing Red Bank by surveyor 
of Texas and Pacific Railroad. 

Company C, Frontier Battalion.— On January 1, 1880, Corporal Waller and 
1 man struck trail of Indians; followed it 10 miles and lost it. 

January 15, 1S80, Captain G. W. Arlington found any amount of Indian sign at a 
dry salt lake, and 1 trail going west with 12 horses; was followed for IS miles, going 
into New Mexico. Found 4 dry lakes, with Indian sign at lakes. On twenty-ninth 
found trail of Indians wMo stole Slaughter's horses, but lost it, owing to rain. On 
twenty-second 13 Indians were seen by Corporal Rush and 4 men on ridges of Four 
Lakes. 

In April, 1880, one Indian party was seen at Double Mountain, and one going up 
Red River, and one trail was found at Eagle Springs by citizens. 

On May 27, 1880, Indians passed across mouth of Blanco canon, and took a peep 
into camp where there was but one man (all others on a scout). Major Davis, 4th 
Cavairy, U. S. A., followed trail 8 miles. Indians reported on Wichita at same time. 

June 28, 1S80, Captain G. W. Arrington was informed 35 bucks and 13 squaws 
(Cheyennes) passed up Salt Fork of Red River, going to the Canadian. 

Company D, Frontier Battalion. — In March, 1880, Captain D. W. Roberts was 
informed by commanding officer at Fort McKavett that on eleventh two parties of 
Indians were at Sycamore and on Devil's river, with 40 horses. 

Company E. — From twentytieth to twenty-first, Lieutenant C. L. Nevill, 1 man 
and 3 citizens in pursuit of unknown horse thieves; ascertained several days after- 
wards they were Indians. 



50 Report of Adjutant-General. 



Exhibit No. 14. — Statement of results of operations of State 
troops from November 1. 1880, to December 31, 1881, compiled 
from reports of company commanders of Frontier Battalion 
and others. 

Company A. — From December 11 to 15, 1SS0, Captain G. W.Baylor and 12 men 
scouted in search of Indians who shot at a Mexican. Found trail, but ground be- 
ing rocky, could not follow it. 

From January 16 to February 6, 1881, Captain Baylor and 15 men of Company A, 
and Capt. C. L. Nevill and 9 men of Company E, started from their respective posts 
on a scout after Indians, who killed a stage driver and passenger at Quitman canon. 
On the nineteenth Captain Baylor learned that a soldier repairing telegraph line was 
attacked by Indians and his mule stolen. Struck trail going into Mexico, and near 
Los Pinos struck a larger trail, the two joining and going towards the Rio Grande, 
which it crossed 10 miles below Ojo Caliente. On twenty third struck Indian camp 
which they had left in haste, as horse meat fresh killed was left cooking, and buck- 
skin saddles, hides, blankets, etc., were left behind. Ground was frozen so hard 
that trail could not be found further, and company scouted to Eagle Spring. Here 
met Captain Nevill, Company E, with rations and information that he had crossed 
a trail 6 miles east of Eagle Springs. The combined force took the trail and followed 
it until morning of twenty ninth, when they surprised the camp of 18 or 20 Indians 
at sunrise, killing 6 Indians and capturing 3 (afterwards turned over to military au- 
thorities at Fort Davis); also captured 16 horses and mules, 2 Winchester and 1 
Remington carbines; all saddles, bridles, blankets and camp equipage. 

Company C. — From March 4 to 14, Captain G. W. Arrington and detachment on 
scout after Indians reported in country. Found abandoned camp of 30 tepees and 
trails 5 days old. Citizens complain that Indians stole and killed many cattle, but 
prefer leaving Iudiaus unmolested, as they fear retaliation. 

In May, 1881 (about fifteenth), 13 Indians were seen with 15 loose horses at Run- 
ning Water by one of Goodnight's herders, and a few days later Mr. Cathey saw 
some at Yellow House. 

In July, 1881, cow men reported 7 Indians coming up Red River, and went south- 
west on plains. 

Company E. — On January 21, 1881, Captain C. L. Nevill and 9 men left camp for 
Quitman canon. (For report of details see Company A for January, 1881.) 

In May, 1881, Captain JNevill reports that the San Carlos Indians from Mexico 
made a raid between Fort Davis and Del Norte. 

On May 26, 1881, Captain Nevill found and followed an Indian trail for two days, 
until obliterated by rain. 

On May 27, 1881, Captain Nevill being reinforced, continued scout. At mouth of 
Marvillas creek found Indian sign (old camp), and continuing on trail, came upon 
new camp, which Indians had quickly abandoned. Recovered 4 mules. 

From third to tenth of June, 1881, Captain Nevill and 6 men pursued Indians 
who stole horses oi Limpia creek. Struck trail and followed it 90 miles, when they 
abandoned it, owing to Indians having too much of a start. 

From sixth to twenty-fourth of August, 1881, Captain Nevill and 9 men in pur- 
suit of Indians seen this side of the Rio Grande. Met 3 citizens from whom Indians 
had just stolen 5 horses and 1 mule. Followed trail, but Indians coming to Nevill's 
trail, they turned to the diesis mountains. Killed the mule, cooked part of it, and 
crossed into Mexico by swimming the Rio Grande. 

From first to fourth of September. 1881, Captain Nevill went in pursuit of dis- 
mounted Indians reported 8 miles from Fort Davis. 

From eighth to eleventh of September, 1881. Captain Nevill in pursuit of a party 
of Indians reported 6 miles east of Fort Davis. 

From September 14 to 23, 1881. Captain Nevill and 8 men pursued Indians who 
stole horses 2 miles northwest of Fort Davis. Followed trail to Guadalupe moun- 
tains, and on eighteenth, while spies were sent out to find location of Indians so as 
to attack, Nevill's party was discovered by them, and they scattered in the night. 



Report of Adjutant-General. 51 



Exhibit No. 15. — Statement of result of operations of State 
Troops from January 1 to November 30, 1882, compiled from re- 
ports of company commanders and others. 

Company A. — Capt. G. W. Baylor and 14 men, from seventh to twenty-sixth of 
June, 1S82, while scouting through the Sacremento mountains, found a fresh trail of 
Indians going towards the agency. 

At Hidden Springs found another trail of Indians going to the agency. 

Company C. — Lieutenan Jno. Hoffar and detachment, while on scout in October, 
18S2, saw Indians at Doan's store. 

Company E. — On January 16, 1882, Captain C. L. Nevill and 4 men saw 4 Indians 
on Rio Grande. Indians ran, and detachment gave chase. Nevill's party captured 
9 horses and killed them. 

On January 18, 1882, Captain Nevill being in a boat on Rio Grande, saw a party 
of 8 Indians; pulled to shore to land and fight them, but Indians ran. 

On January 19, 1882, Captain Nevill and detachment found trail and camp of a 
large party of Indians on Texas soil, who broke camp the day before, crossing into 
Mexico. Had their families and 50 horses and mules at mouihof Marvellas. Being 
dismounted, Nevill could not follow. 

From April 16 to 27, 1882, Captain Nevill and 12 men in search of Indians report- 
ed camped in Eagle mountains. 

From May 9 to 14, 1882, Private Trentham and 7 men of company in search of 
Indians reported at Walch's ranch, at Barella springs. Struch trail of 4 Indians 
and followed it, when it scattered at Kirby's ranch. 



Troops of Texas. 




128 ) 54 | 82 

' commi,tees - aDd — q.-„ y does n#t show the one . 

° one-linnrlroth part of (be 





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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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